Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Residents of a Care Home - Essay Example

?Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Residents of a Care Home Introduction Frequent physical activity is related to improved health and minimised rates of contracting disease. Besides this, physical activity has numerous health gains including the reduce risk of various illnesses such as osteoporosis, cancer, depression and arthritis (Resnik, 2012:50). In spite of these benefits accruing from the regular physical activity, only a minimal percentage of the population participates in the recommended level of physical activity. Recent health studies indicate that physical activity is among the leading indicators of a healthy lifestyle and have made suggestions to increase the level of physical activity in care homes, clinics and in the entire community. Better physical activity is not only related to social and behavioral factors but also related to physical and environment all aspects (Sirven and Malamut, 2008:130). For that reason, the role of community based programs has been defined to improve physical activity in the population. This paper suggests the implementation of a community based program and how it can be used to improve physical activity in a care home setting. The other objective of the paper is assist to assist the National Health Service (NHS), social services, local health service providers and care givers in residential homes improve mental and physical health. Background The larger proportion of the population in the UK is composed of the older people. This entails all the people who are aged 65 years and above (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2013). Although the elderly in society lead healthy and independent lives, this can change due to alterations in financial stability, societal attitudes, physical health and access to support services (Age Concern England and Mental Health Foundation, 2004). Regardless of the improved conditions in the lives of the older people, there is evidence showing that they are increasingly becoming dissatisfied and lonelier (Allen, 2008:7). It was observed that nearly 60 percent of the old people living in care homes are reported to have poor mental health (Audit Commission, 2004). This decline is mental health goes hand in hand with a reduced physical activity increasing their risk to disease. The factors influencing the well being of the old people is affected by many issues affecting the health of the old people in care homes including, discrimination, relationships and participation in physical activity. Conceptual Framework The basic framework that is used to show the impact of the initiative of introduction of physical exercise in care homes can be demonstrated by using the logic model (Germann and Wilson, 2004:270). This model is used to demonstrate the effects of physical activity on the health of the people in care homes (Germann and Wilson, 2004:289). The model is used to illustrate how an initiative is supposed to operate and gives an explanation on the effectiveness of the strategy. Previous studies have shown that increased physical movement lead to renewed strength, higher activity levels and overall improved health of the individual. In this case the model adopts a logical approach in implementation of the physical exercise program. Literature Review Resnik (2012:50) and Sirven and Malamut (2008:130) agree that physical activity is an important aspect in the lives of the elderly. They further affirm the existence of the numerous benefits associated with physical activity. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2013), Audit Commission (2004), Age Concern England and Mental Health Foundation (2004) and Allen (2008:7) confirm that there an increase in the number of old people in the UK and that their health status has been worsening over the years owing to minimal physical activity. The conceptual model used in the study is the logic model that can be used to explain how the initiative operates (Germann and Wilson, 2004:28). College of Occupational Therapists and National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People (2007:25) and College of Occupational Therapists (2008) express some of the factors that affect the implementation of the program such as cost effectiveness of the model. Department of Health (2006), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2013) and Department of Health (2007) show that such a program will lead to improved health in the care homes for the old. Mental Health and Older People Forum (2008) and Marmot et al. (2003:70) agree that physical activity results to relaxation and better health. Factors to Consider in Implementing the Intervention Program The intervention program proposed should be practical, cost effective and easily integrated in the care homes. The health status of the elderly is affected by a number of factors including the society at large, family background. Therefore, the strategy should aim at improving the health of the old people at the least cost. Most intervention initiatives fail to incorporate walking which is the most common form of physical activity (College of Occupational Therapists, 2008). Thereby the intervention should include walking in their physical activity routine. The intervention ought to be inclusive in that it should be involve all the old people regardless of their income levels, ethnic group or social status. It should be introduced with the collaboration with heath care providers so as to promote the health status and disease prevention among the individuals. Standards in the practice of occupational therapy ensure that there is consistency and competence in the occupational therapy field (College of Occupational Therapists and National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People, 2007:25). These are considered to be the main factors affecting formulation and implementation of the physical activity programs in care homes. Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Residents of a Care Home This study focuses on an intervention program that can be adopted in care homes and in the community at large. The nature of intervention proposed is cost effective and efficient in its promotion of improved well- being f the elderly (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2013). The target population of the intervention is the old people, their caregivers and the community at large. It targets therapists and other care givers who take care of the old people in the residential community and in the society who are qualified occupational therapists. The care givers should initiate activities that help the old people undertake their routine duties in a way that helps them to improve their well being and health. They should guide them to participate in tailored physical activities that are of moderate intensity including, swimming, walking and dancing. These activities should be based on their tastes and preferences (Department of Health, 2006). They should be done on a daily basis and it is imperative to get the feedback of the participants. This helps the care givers the level of motivation by the participants and establish ways in which the programs’ efficiency can be improved. The initiative calls for action by several parties including health promotion specialists, nurses, occupational therapists and nurses in care homes. It also requires contribution by volunteer organisations, community development groups and local authorities that are involved in taking care of the old. These parties are encouraged to supplement the activities of the care givers through initiatives such as community walking schemes that inform the people on the benefits of physical activities (Department of Health, 2007). The intervention program proposed in this paper is multifaceted since its looks at environmental, behavioural and informational changes that can be made to increase physical activity in residential care homes (Department of Health, 2007). The environmental approach involves the policy changes that should be made in the physical and structural environment to provide safe and convenient surroundings for the physical activity. The behavioural view is linked to activities that help to shape the attitudes and cultures of the people with regards to the benefits linked to physical activity. Informational activities focus on education the people on opportunities and gains associated with physical activities. The nature of intervention is going to be touch on the following areas. Firstly, there should training of the relevant people working with older people. Secondly, physical activity programs should be tailored t suit the needs of the various parties involved in care giving in the residential homes of the elderly. Thirdly, occupational therapy activities that educate individuals on the benefits of physical exercise and encourage the participants to strictly follow their routines should be enhanced (NHS Health Scotland, 2006). Lastly, waking initiatives should be introduced at the community level to improve the genera heath status of the community. Implementation strategy of the intervention is done according to a specified process. This is guided by several organisations’ and rules and regulations that are stipulated by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) framework (NHS Health Scotland, 2006). This aids the NHS in fulfilling the Department of Health (DH) policies concerning the standards for improved health. All organisations operating under the NHS are required to meet the guidelines of the DH. The national and local governments must discharge their duties to contribute towards the well- being of the society as a whole (NHS Health Scotland, 2006). This shows that application of the program should be according to the set rules and regulations set by health regulatory bodies. Benefits of Intervention to Increase Physical Activity among Residents of a Care Home Habitual physical activity has long-term health benefits to the old people in health care homes. Physical activity leads to a longer life which is an added advantage to the old people who have a limited life span (Marmot et al., 2003:70). It also results to better sleep and improved relaxation (Ward, 2007:45). The old people are at a risk of suffering from depression and other stress related complications (Mental Health and Older People Forum, 2008). Physical activity lowers the chances of getting depressed. The old are generally basically unfit, increased exercise results enhances their flexibility and activity. Most importantly, physical activity leads to reduced risk to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis and other common health complications affecting the old. These are the major benefits associated with increased physical exercise in residential homes of the older people. Challenges to the Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Residents of a Care Home There are a few number of setbacks faced in the implementation of the proposed program. There is lack of motivation by the target group to participate in physical activity (NHS Health Scotland, 2006). This gives the care givers a hard time and they may get discouraged after a given period of time and suspend the program altogether. The second challenge is the lack of adequate support by the key stake holders including the local government, the NHS, medical practitioners and the community (Elridge and Kerry, 2012). Additionally, individuals are not fully aware of the gains accruing from physical activities and to take it lightly. In spite of these challenges, care givers and the involved parties should encourage the target population and the society on the importance of physical activity one’s health status. On the other hand, implementation of the program in a residential home will be unproblematic due to existence of guidelines and policies governing the care homes. Recommendations The study illustrates that change in physical activity in care homes is necessary and this requires the participation of occupational therapists and other specialists in the field. They are advised to increase the level of physical activity so as to improve the overall health of the old people. They should so by following the laid own rules and regulations. The initiative also calls upon other health specialists including fitness instructor physiotherapists and registered exercise professionals with the experience and skills to offer exercise sessions in care homes. Public health practitioners, local authorities and community development groups are advised to take part in walking initiatives that improve the overall well- being of the old people in care homes. Finally, residential heath staff, social workers should be properly trained on care giving to the old in residential homes. Conclusion In a nutshell, this paper reveals the invaluable benefits accruing from the involvement of the old people physical exercise in a residential home setting. As earlier discussed, exercise leads to better health, a longer life and reduced rates of disease. The current rate of physical activity in the care homes is inadequate. This goes ahead to show that there is need for the introduction of an integrated initiative that increases physical activity in a care home, provides a safe environment for its practice and proper guidance by the care givers. The proposed program faces a number of challenges in its implementation. However, these can be overcome with the cohesion of all the stakeholders in society. The study calls for changes in society’s behaviour and attitudes towards physical exercise in a move to promote healthy activities among individuals. The initiative suggested is simple, cost effective and practical in care homes. This together with the incorporation of the recommendations will result to increased physical activity hence improved health among the older people. References Age Concern England and Mental Health Foundation (2004) Literature and policy review for the joint inquiry into mental health and wellbeing in later life, viewed 25 Apr 2013 from . Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2013) Occupational therapy interventions and physical activity interventions to promote the mental wellbeing of older people in primary care and residential care, viewed 25 Apr 2013 from . Allen, J. (2008) Older people and wellbeing, London, Institute for Public Policy Research, pp. 2- 15. Audit Commission (2004) Older people – independence and well-being: the challenge for public services, UK, Audit Commission, pp. 6-20 College of Occupational Therapists (2008) What is occupational therapy? viewed 25 Apr 2013 from . College of Occupational Therapists and National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People (2007) Activity provision: Benchmarking good practice in care homes for older people, London: College of Occupational Therapists, pp. 20- 31. Department of Health (2006) Our health, our care, our say: A new direction for community services, London: Department of Health. Department of Health (2007) Putting people first: A shared vision and commitment to the transformation of adult social care, London, Department of Health. Elridge, S. & Kerry, S. (2012) A practical guide to cluster randomised trials in health services Research, John Wiley & Sons, pp. 60- 77. Germann, K. & Wilson, D. (2004) ‘Organisational capacity for community development in regional health authorities: A conceptual model,’ Health Promotion International, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 289-298. Marmot, M, Banks, J, Blundell, R. et al., (2003) English longitudinal study on ageing: Health, wealth and lifestyles of the older population in England, London, Institute for Fiscal Studies, pp. 67- 90. Mental Health and Older People Forum (2008) A collective responsibility to act now on ageing and mental health: A consensus statement, viewed 25 Apr 2013 from . NHS Health Scotland (2006) Mental health improvement programme, background and policy context, viewed 25 Apr 2013 from . Resnick, B. (2012) Restorative care nursing for older adults: a guide for all care Settings, Springer Publishing Company, pp. 45- 78. Sirven, J.I. & Malamut, B.L. (2008) Clinical neurology of the older adult, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp. 123- 156. Ward, D.S. (2007) Physical activity interventions in children and adolescents, Human Kinetics, pp. 34- 53. Read More