Assessing the effectiveness of a walking program on physical function of residents living in an assisted living facility.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a resident-led walking program at an assisted living facility (ALF). Seventeen women (mean age 80, range 62-99) agreed to participate in a "walking club." Pre and post measurements included the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Assessment of Mobility Problems in Elderly Patients, the Functional Reach Test, and the Barthel Index to measure independence in activities of daily living (ADLs). Participants set their own goals for walking distance and frequency, with the assistance of the lead researcher if requested. Distances ranged from 75 ft to over 1 mile. At the end of the 9-week intervention, there was a significant increase in all of the pre-test measurements. In addition, post-test assessment included individual interviews with participants about their experiences with the physical activity program. Four positive themes about the walking program emerged: (a) as a pleasurable activity, (b) as a way to manage current health problems, (c) as a way to continue life-long activity, and (d) because of perceived physical and psychological benefits from the activity. The participants planned to continue the walking program. The results of this pilot study suggest that a walking program can be instituted in an assisted living facility with minimal staff effort and significant benefit to residents.
Taylor
Leslie
L
Department of Physical Therapy, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30303, USA. phtlft@langate.gsu.edu
Whittington
Frank
F
Hollingsworth
Carole
C
Ball
Mary
M
King
Sharon
S
Patterson
Vickie
V
Diwan
Sadhna
S
Rosenbloom
Chris
C
Neel
Armon
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016138:Walking