A 10-step participatory program for developing, implementing, and evaluating physical activity promoting actions in...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Promotion

Background:

• Nursing homes face multidimensional barriers to physical activity (PA) promotion.
• A socio-ecological approach is needed to address these challenges effectively.
• Little is known about transferring such approaches into successful PA interventions developed with on-site stakeholders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate PA-promoting actions and their sustainable implementation in nursing homes.
• To present a 10-step program for co-developing and co-evaluating PA interventions using integrated counselling.
• To understand how to tailor PA promotion to specific nursing home contexts.

Main Methods:

• A multiple case study approach was used across 7 nursing homes over 3 years (2021-2023).
• Data collection included workshops, individual counselling, implementation protocols, questionnaires, and goal attainment scales.
• A participatory, integrated counselling approach was employed to co-develop and co-evaluate interventions.

Main Results:

• 112 ideas for PA promotion were co-developed, with 54 implemented and integrated into daily life.
• Implemented actions varied, including activities of daily living, structured activities, and environmental modifications.
• Intervention success varied, with 18 actions rated as more successful than expected, and 10 worse than expected.

Conclusions:

• A participatory, integrated counselling approach facilitated home-specific PA actions and implementation.
• Successful implementation depended on the nursing home's mission, vision, and structural conditions.
• Involving external partners like volunteers and community organizations can compensate for staff shortages.