A Descriptive Study for a Strength and Balance Program for Frail Older Adults in an Assisted-Living Facility

ABSTRACT

The Placemat Strength Training Program (PSTP) is a strength and balance program for frail older assisted-living residents. Exercise facilitators led the PSTP, which was based on a laminated place mat with 10 illustrated exercises. Functional ability and determinants of exercise were examined among the intervention group (n = 15) (age 83.3 ± 7.31), which received the PSTP three times a week for 10 months, and the comparison group (n = 21) (age 86.19 ± 5.16), which received the PSTP along with usual physical activities approximately twice a week for 10 months. Constructs from the theory of planned behavior (TPB) (Ajzen & Driver, 1991) provided a framework to examine determinants of exercise (participants' intention to exercise, behavioral beliefs, perceived behavioral control, and normative beliefs). Results of functional assessments and determinants of exercise were inconclusive because of high rates of attrition. However, qualitative research provided insights to determinates of exercise and indicated that the PSTP positively impacts assisted living residents' quality of life.

KEYWORDS:

• Balance
• older adults
• Placemat Strength Training Program
• strength
• qualitative data