Promoting activity and mobility in long-term care environments: A photo-elicitation study with older adults and nurses

Noora Narsakka*, Riitta Suhonen, Barbara Groot, Minna Stolt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Aim(s)
The aim of this research study is to collaboratively generate insights in the current institutional long-term care environment for activity and mobility of older adults, and of solutions that could be used to increase the activity and improve the mobility of the older adults.

Design
This research constitutes a qualitative study with a critical approach.

Methods
Data were collected using photo-elicitation in four long-term care units in Finland during the spring of 2022. Older adults participated in individual data collection sessions which combined photographing and discussion. Staff members individually took photographs and later participated in a group discussion based on the photographs. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse all data together.

Results
Ten older adults and 12 staff members participated in the research study. Four themes were identified: (1) facilities should be designed and equipped for their users, (2) moving in the institutional environment, (3) passivity as a norm, and (4) nurses should act differently and have the resources to do so.

Conclusion
To increase the activity and improve the mobility of older adults, improvements are needed in terms of the design of facilities, opportunities for freedom of movement, outdoor activity, daily life activities, exercise, nurses' role in activating older adults and resources.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care
Increased attention to the support of activity and mobility could benefit older adults in institutional long-term care. Physical activity promotion should be incorporated as an integral part of nursing practice.

Patient or public contribution
Directors of units were consulted when planning the study. Older adults and nurses contributed to the data collection and interpretation of data.

Impact: (Addressing)
What problem did the study address?

○ Older adults have recurrently been reported as living inactive lives in institutional long-term care.
○ There is evidence of the relationship between the environment and the activity and mobility of older adults, but there seems to be a research-practice gap in terms of implementing activity- and mobility-promoting environments.
○ Older adults and staff members are important in developing practice and change-oriented knowledge that can be used to increase the activity and improve the mobility of older adults in institutional long-term care.
What were the main findings?

○ Various environmental improvements are recommended to increase the activity and improve the mobility of older adults in institutional long-term care settings.
○ Improvements for the design of facilities, opportunities for freedom of movement, outdoor activity, daily life activities, exercise, nurses' role in activating older adults and resources for activity support would benefit older adults' activity and mobility.
Where and on whom will the research have an impact?

○ Increasing the activity of older adults requires better activity promotion and mobility support by nurses in institutional care. Sufficient education and resources should be organized for activity promotion, in addition to a care and organizational culture that values activity.
○ Environmental aspects to promote activity and mobility need to be considered already at the planning, building and renovating phases of facilities.
○ Policymakers and care organizers should consider evidence of the harms and benefits of different institutional living environments when making decisions on organizing care.
Reporting Method

The study is reported using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8078-8094
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing
Volume32
Issue number23-24
Early online date12 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to express our gratitude to all study participants for their contribution to the study. In addition, we would like to thank all persons working in the public health and social services that made the conduct of the study possible by their varying contributions in the process.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

  • activities of daily living
  • care needs
  • dementia
  • fundamental care
  • gerontology
  • interviews
  • long-term care
  • mobility
  • nursing homes
  • older adults
  • physical activity
  • ward design

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