How physiotherapists promote physical activity at long-term care facilities for older adults

ABSTRACT

Background

Physical activity is important for residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) for older adults. Still, many spend most of their time in sedentary activities. How physiotherapists, with competence in physical activity, promote physical activity for residents has previously not been studied from a wide perspective.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe how physiotherapists at LTCFs for older adults, promote physical activity for the individual resident and how they work to support the facility to promote the residents’ physical activity.

Method

A cross-sectional mixed methods study was performed by convenience sampling, using a digital survey sent via professional networks, to reach physiotherapists at LTCFs in Sweden. Qualitative data were analyzed through manifest inductive content analysis. Quantitative data were summarized descriptively.

Results

Ninety-seven survey responses were analyzed from physiotherapists at LTCFs in Sweden. Five categories emerged from the qualitative analysis: 1) Knowledge for active daily living; 2) Adapt to present circumstances and priorities; 3) Methods for exercise and to stay active in daily living; 4) Acts and adjustments for the resident; and 5) Communication to promote activity. The quantitative result shows that work priorities were similar, while the work context varied.

Conclusion

Physiotherapists at LTCFs for older adults used a range of methods to promote physical activity for residents, and to support the facility in promoting physical activity.

KEYWORDS:

• Elderly care
• exercise
• mixed methods study
• nursing home
• physical therapist

Acknowledgments

I want to thank Clare Ardern at the University of Linköping, supervisor of the Master’s thesis, and all who contributed to the study by participating or by informing presumptive participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.