title: Daily (In)Activities of Nursing Home Residents in Their Wards: An Observation Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research shows that nursing home residents are largely inactive. This inactivity negatively influences physical fitness, and participation in daily activities is known to have a positive influence on physical function and quality of life. Existing research does not provide sufficient insight into the daily activities in which nursing home residents participate. This insight is needed to develop future interventions so as to encourage nursing home residents to participate in daily activities and, thereby, decrease inactivity. The purpose of this study was to obtain insight into daily (in)activities of psychogeriatric and somatic nursing home residents during the day and their body positions during these (in)activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional observation study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nursing homes in the Netherlands (19 psychogeriatric and 11 somatic wards).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 723 home residents in 7 nursing homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observations were conducted using a self-developed observation list. Residents were observed in their wards during 5 random observation times between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm, in which the daily activity and position of the resident during this activity were scored. Percentages of activities and positions were calculated for each observation time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 3282 observations (91% of the intended 3615 observations) were conducted. Nursing home residents of both psychogeriatric and somatic wards were mainly observed partaking in in activities, such as sleeping, doing nothing, and watching TV (range: 45%-77% of the 5 observation times). Furthermore, residents were engaged in activities of daily living (ADLs) (range: 15%-38%) that mainly comprised activities related to mobility (range: 10%-19%) and eating and drinking (range: 2%-17%). Engagement of residents in instrumental ADLs (IADLs) was rarely observed (up to 3%). Residents were largely observed in a lying or sitting position (range: 89%-92%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the psychogeriatric and somatic nursing home residents spend their day inactive in a lying or sitting position in the ward. To encourage nursing home residents in daily activities in the wards, interventions are needed that (1) focus on increasing ADLs and IADLs, and (2) encourage standing and walking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.denouden@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Mirre
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: den Ouden
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michel H C
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bleijlevens
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Judith M M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Meijers
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sandra M G
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zwakhalen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health, Research Centre for Autonomy and Participation of People with a Chronic Illness, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Susy M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Department of Methodology and Statistics, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frans E S
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan P H
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hamers
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009735:Nursing Homes
keywords: Activities of daily living; aged; inactivity; nursing home; observation; physical activity