A feasibility study of a home-based lifestyle-integrated physical exercise training and home modification for community-living older people (Part 2): the FIT-at-Home fall prevention program

Abstract

Purpose

This study was conducted in a home-based context where trained occupational therapists delivered progressive physical exercise training and home modification intervention for preventing falls, namely the FIT-at-Home intervention. We assessed the feasibility of the intervention’s content and mode of delivery from the occupational therapists’ perspective as well as the feasibility of study procedures.

Methods

We used a mixed-methods approach, which generated qualitative data from 14 OTs’ after delivering the intervention via interviews and quantitative data of the study procedures via questionnaires and documentation sheets.

Results

In total, 16 of the 17 older people completed the intervention. Of 9 recorded falls, no serious physical problems occurred. Qualitative data suggested that the intervention content and mode was feasible. Only minor adaptations to the program are needed based on the users’ feedback. The main benefit was seen in the fact that simple exercises can be integrated into everyday life for older people with restricted mobility.

Conclusion

The FIT-at-Home intervention comprising lifestyle-integrated balance and strength exercises and home safety is feasible for occupational therapists to deliver. The findings will help to further refine the intervention and study procedures.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Falling is a frequent and serious health problem for many community-living older people, and the incidence of injurious falls increases with advancing age.

• Home visiting programs comprising physical exercise training and home modification appear to be beneficial for older people with poor health, functional limitations, and limited mobility.

• This study indicates that it is feasible to introduce lifestyle-integrated balance and strength exercises, performed as part of daily routine for older people at risk of falling.

• Behavioural self-management strategies have the potential to improve the implementation of exercises during the course of rehabilitation treatment and afterward.

Keywords:

• Fall prevention
• exercise
• intervention
• balance training
• strength training
• lifestyle-integrated
• home modification
• older people

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the study participants who participated in this research. We also thank Lindy Clemson from the Ageing, Work, and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, for supporting this study. We also thank Björn Slaug and Susanne Iwarsson from the Active and Healthy Ageing Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Sweden, as well as Hans-Werner Wahl from the Network Ageing Research Group, Institute of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Germany, and Frank Oswald from the Interdisciplinary Ageing Research Institute of Social Pedagogy and Adult Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Disclosure statement

The authors state they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The feasibility study was supported by a research grant of the University of Applied Sciences, Department of Social Sciences, Saarbrücken, Germany.