scholarly journals PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION IN HOME CARE: COMPARING FAMILY AND NON-FAMILY CAREGIVING DYADS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S202-S203
Author(s):  
Naoko Muramatsu ◽  
Lijuan Yin

Abstract An increasing number of states pay family members who care for older adults in Medicaid-funded home care. Previous research documented pros and cons of hiring family members as home care providers. However, little is known about whether family and non-family caregiving dyads function differently when they participate in health promotion interventions in home care. Using data collected in a pilot study of a gentle physical activity program delivered by home care workers in a Medicare home care program, this study compared 18 family and 32 non-family caregiving dyads in client outcomes (self-reported and performance-based function) and process outcomes (exercise-related social support provided by home care aides) before and after the intervention. Linear mixed models indicated that client outcomes improved after the 4-month intervention (p<0.05), controlling for clients’ age, gender, and number of chronic conditions. Compared to family caregiving dyads, greater improvement in exercise-related support was observed in non-family caregiving dyads (p<0.05), where care providers offered less exercise-related support at baseline. The intervention program was received well by both family and non-family dyads, as expressed by one of the caregivers: “It makes my client feel good about herself. I also feel good for my client.” Results suggest that empowering caregivers with health promotion skills is a promising strategy, especially in non-family caregiving dyads. Further research is warranted to produce evidence-based health promotion programs for family and non-family caregiving dyads in home care.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 443-443
Author(s):  
Naoko Muramatsu ◽  
Lijuan Yin ◽  
Maria Caceres

Abstract The current home care paradigm dictates home care aides (HCAs) provide prescribed help with activities of daily living, rather than stimulating older adults’ reserves to maintain independence. Little is known about whether HCAs are interested in expanding their role to promote their clients’ health. This study examined HCAs’ interest in helping clients do physical activity among workers who care for their family members or clients assigned by home care agencies in a Medicaid-funded home care program. Data came from brief surveys completed by HCAs at state-mandated in-service training sessions (N=602; 42% caring for non-family clients only, 38% family clients only, 20% both family and non-family clients). Ordered logit analysis was conducted to examine whether HCAs caring for family clients differ from those caring for non-family clients in levels of interest in helping clients do safe physical activity as part of home care work, controlling for HCAs’ age, gender, language (English/Spanish), and years of home care experience. HCAs’ interest levels were high (62% very, 21% somewhat, 8% slightly, 9% not at all interested). Ordered logit analysis indicated that HCAs caring for family members had significantly higher interest levels than those caring for non-family clients only (83% higher among HCAs caring for both family and non-family clients, 30% higher among HCAs caring for family clients only). To reflect HCAs’ interests and to maintain clients’ independence, home care workforce training should direct its attention to empower HCAs to assume health-promoting roles.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Muramatsu ◽  
Lijuan Yin

Abstract Background and Objectives Caregiving dyads are fertile contexts for health promotion such as physical activity. However, previous physical activity interventions in caregiving dyads paid limited attention to care recipients’ outcomes and rarely involved paid caregivers. Home care aides (HCAs) provide nonmedical care for older family members or nonfamily clients in publicly funded home care programs in the United States. This study examined whether family and nonfamily HCA–client dyads differed in the outcomes of a 4-month gentle physical activity pilot program led by HCAs in a Medicaid home care program. Design and Methods A single-group prepost design was used to assess changes in clients’ function (self-reported and performance-based) and process outcomes (exercise-related social support provided by HCAs) in 18 family and 32 nonfamily HCA–client dyads. Repeated measures analysis controlled for clients’ demographic and health characteristics. Clients’ and HCAs’ motivation to continue the program beyond the intervention period was examined using quantitative and qualitative data. Results Client outcomes and exercise-related social support provided by HCAs improved, especially in nonfamily dyads. Both family and nonfamily dyads had high levels of motivation to continue the program, supporting the program’s sustainability for both clients and HCAs. Discussion and Implications Empowering HCAs to engage in health promoting activities with their clients is a promising strategy to improve the lives of caregiving dyads.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rathi Ramji ◽  
Elisabeth Carlson ◽  
Anders Kottorp ◽  
Sergey Shleev ◽  
Eman Awad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite numerous interventions aiming to improve physical activity in socially disadvantaged populations, physical inactivity remains to be a rising challenge to public health globally, as well as, in Sweden. In an effort to address this challenge, a community-based participatory intervention was developed through active community engagement and implemented in a socially disadvantaged neighborhood in Sweden. The current study aims to present the development and initial evaluation of a participatory research driven physical activity intervention. Methods Fifteen participants (11 females and 4 males) aged 17–59 years volunteered to participate in the physical activity intervention program. The intervention program was evaluated using a longitudinal mixed methods design measuring health impact changes over time through focus group discussions and quality of life surveys. Further additional biomedical health parameters such as levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, levels of oxygen saturation and body mass index were monitored before and after the intervention. Focus group data were analyzed using content analysis with an inductive approach. The pre-and post-test scores from the survey-based quality of life domains, as well as the health parameters were compared using non-parametric and parametric statistics. Results Four themes emerged from the analysis of the focus group discussions including sense of fellowship, striving for inclusion and equity, changing the learner perspective and health beyond illness. The scores for the domains Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships and Health Satisfaction where significantly higher after participation in the physical activity intervention program compared to the pre-test scores (p < .05)s. There were however, no significant changes in the scores for the environmental domain and overall quality of life after intervention compared to that prior to intervention start. Overall, the biomedical health parameters remained stable within the normal ranges during intervention. Conclusion The focus group discussions and results from the surveys and biomedical measures reveal important findings to understand and further develop the intervention program to promote health equity among citizens in disadvantaged areas. Evaluating the feasibility of such an intervention using multiple approaches contributes to effective implementation of it for larger communities in need.


2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey G. Moe ◽  
Julie Pickrel ◽  
Thomas L. McKenzie ◽  
Patricia K. Strikmiller ◽  
Derek Coombs ◽  
...  

The Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) is a randomized, multicenter field trial in middle schools that aims to reduce the decline of physical activity in adolescent girls. To inform the development of the TAAG intervention, two phases of formative research are conducted to gain information on school structure and environment and on the conduct of physical education classes. Principals and designated staff at 64 eligible middle schools were interviewed using the School Survey during Phase 1. The following year(Phase 2), physical education department heads of the 36 schools selected into TAAG were interviewed. Responses were examined to design a standardized, multicomponent physical activity intervention for six regions of the United States. This article describes the contribution of formative research to the development of the physical education intervention component and summarizes the alignment of current school policies and practices with national and state standards.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra Hamilton ◽  
Katherine M. White

Background:Parents are at risk for physical inactivity; however, few studies have designed physical activity (PA) interventions specifically applied to individuals with young children. To ensure the effectiveness of interventions, it may be useful to first elicit the needs from the target population and incorporate salient strategies identified to the design and delivery of a resultant intervention. We aimed to explore strategies for what to include in and how to best deliver a program designed to increase parental PA.Methods:Twelve parents (6 mothers, 6 fathers) of children younger than 5 years participated in focus group discussions exploring strategies for an intervention program designed to increase parental PA.Results:A range of themes such as Focus on the Children and Flexible Life/Family Plans imbedded in strategies such as persuasion and information, problem-solving, skill building, and environmental approaches were identified. In addition, a range of strategies for how to best deliver a parental PA intervention evidenced in emerging themes such as Diverse and Brief and Individualized Approach was discussed.Conclusions:Future research should continue to adopt a ground up, community-based approach to the development and implementation of interventions for this at-risk group to ensure sustained involvement in regular PA.


2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Stenevi-Lundgren ◽  
Robin M. Daly ◽  
Christian Lindén ◽  
Per Gärdsell ◽  
Magnus K. Karlsson

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