title: Functional level, physical activity and wellbeing in nursing home residents in three Nordic countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to describe physical and cognitive function and wellbeing among nursing home residents in three Nordic countries. A second aim was to compare groups of differing ages, levels of dependency in daily life activities (ADL), degree of fall-related self-efficacy, wellbeing and cognitive function.
  
  
  METHODS
  322 residents from nursing homes in Sweden, Norway and Denmark were included. Physical and cognitive function, level of physical activity and wellbeing were assessed by means of reliable and valid instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of participants was 85 years. Sixty percent could rise from a chair and 64% could walk independently. Men were younger and more physically active than women. Participants with a high level of dependency in ADL had lower physical and cognitive functions, were less physically active, and had lower fall-related self-efficacy than participants less dependent in ADL. Participants with low cognitive function had high fall-related self-efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that elderly residents in nursing homes in Sweden, Norway and Denmark are frail but heterogeneous. Significant differences in physical activity, physical function and dependency in ADL were seen in relation to age, fall-related self-efficacy, wellbeing and cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grönstedt
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellström
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergland
authors.forename: Jorunn L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Helbostad
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puggaard
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.forename: Randi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Granbo
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frändin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology