A feasible model for prevention of functional decline in older home-dwelling people--the GP role. A municipality-randomized intervention trial.
BACKGROUND
Danish municipalities are required by state law to offer two annual home visits to all non-disabled citizens > or =75 years. Visits are primarily carried out by district nurses. GPs are rarely directly involved.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of offering an educational programme to home visitors and GPs on mortality, functional ability and nursing home admissions among home-dwelling older people.


METHODS



METHODS
Municipality pair-matched randomized trial.


METHODS
Danish primary care.


METHODS
2863 home-dwelling 75-year-olds and 1171 home-dwelling 80-year-olds living in 34 municipalities.


METHODS
Home visitors received regular education for a period of 3 years. In nine of 17 intervention municipalities, GPs participated in one small group training session during the first year.


METHODS
Mortality, functional ability and nursing home admission during 4(1/2) years of follow-up.


RESULTS
INTERVENTION was not associated with mortality. Home visitor education was associated with reduction in functional decline among home-dwelling 80-year-olds after the three intervention years in municipalities where GPs accepted and participated in small group-based training. Effects did not persist after the intervention ended. When analyses were restricted to baseline non-disabled persons, intervention was associated with beneficial effects on functional ability after three intervention years among 80-year-olds, regardless of education was given to home visitors alone or to visitors and GPs. Nursing home admission rates were lower among the 80-year-olds living in the intervention municipalities.


CONCLUSIONS
A brief, practicable interdisciplinary educational programme for primary care professionals postponed functional decline in non-disabled 80-year-old home-dwelling persons.
Vass
M
M
Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. m.vass@dadlnet.dk
Avlund
K
K
Siersma
V
V
Hendriksen
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003718:Denmark; D016330:Frail Elderly; D018577:Homebound Persons; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D009026:Mortality; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family