Abstract
This presentation explores the Home Exercise Support Program, integrating OT and caregiver support to reduce falls, improve independence, and address diverse needs for sustainable, in-home exercise routines.
Primary Author and Speaker: Sydney Marshman
Additional Authors and Speakers: Jayna Niblock
Contributing Authors: Karena Laswell
This study assesses the feasibility and impact of a Home Exercise Support Program that integrates occupational therapy (OT) with caregiver training to reduce fall risk and improve independence in older adults through home-based exercise. Key questions are: (1) What outcomes, like mobility improvement, fall reduction, and support during care transitions, are reported by older adults and caregivers? (2) How do external factors-insurance coverage, care transitions, and coordination-impact access? This study fills a gap by exploring ways to sustain functional gains post-rehabilitation, supporting aging in place. Using a retrospective cohort design, this study reviews data from older adults who participated in the program. Eligibility criteria include older adults in private-duty caregiver services with reported difficulties in daily activities and an interest in exercise. Data sources include OT evaluations, caregiver feedback, and participant-reported outcomes to provide real-world evidence on program effectiveness. Qualitative data, including OT assessments, caregiver records, and participant feedback, are thematically analyzed. Quantitative outcomes, like self-reported mobility and fall incidents, are assessed. Secondary analysis examines external factors such as insurance, care transitions, and coordination. Preliminary findings show increased demand, with higher participant enrollment and more referrals from healthcare professionals. Key challenges to sustainability include barriers related to insurance, coordination, and transitions, which affect continuity. These results support the research questions by highlighting program efficacy and systemic barriers. This study shows the effectiveness of a collaborative home exercise program and the growing demand for such services. This study highlights the potential of home-based OT programs in aging care, showing demand and positive outcomes but tempered by access challenges.
Breysse, J., Dixon, S., Wilson, J., & Szanton, S. (2021). Aging gracefully in place: An evaluation of the capability of the CAPABLE approach. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 41(3), 718–728. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648211042606
Farinde, A., & Hebdon, M. (2020). Physiologic Changes That Occur in Geriatric Patients. In Pharmacological considerations in gerontology: A patient-centered guide for advanced practice registered nurses and related health professions. essay, Springer Publishing Company.
Gschwind, Y. J., Kressig, R. W., Lacroix, A., Muehlbauer, T., Pfenninger, B., & Granacher, U. (2013). A best practice fall prevention exercise program to improve balance, strength / power, and Psychosocial Health in older adults: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatrics, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-13-105
Lusardi, M. M., Fritz, S., Middleton, A., Allison, L., Wingood, M., Phillips, E., Criss, M., Verma, S., Osborne, J., & Chui, K. K. (2017). Determining risk of falls in community dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis using Posttest probability. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 40(1), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1519/jpt.0000000000000099