Implementation of an Exercise Program in an Assisted Living Facility.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Science
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Functional decline is a significant concern for residents in assisted living facilities.
• Maintaining activities of daily living (ADLs) is crucial for resident independence and quality of life.
• Nursing assistants are well-positioned to implement exercise interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a sit-to-stand exercise program delivered by nursing assistants.
• To assess the program's impact on residents' functional status in activities of daily living.
• To explore the role of nursing assistants in promoting exercise and preventing decline.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement project was conducted in an assisted living facility.
• Nursing assistants were trained to deliver a sit-to-stand exercise program to residents.
• Functional outcomes in activities of daily living were monitored as the primary outcome.

Main Results:

• The program aimed to improve or maintain residents' function in activities of daily living.
• Findings suggest the program's potential to prevent avoidable functional decline.
• Nursing assistants played a key role in program delivery and resident engagement.

Conclusions:

• Sit-to-stand exercises, delivered by nursing assistants, can support functional maintenance in assisted living residents.
• This model demonstrates the significant contribution of nursing assistants to resident well-being and independence.
• Interventions promoting exercise are essential for mitigating functional decline in institutionalized older adults.