Do restorative home care programs increase independence in ADLs and IADLs in older adults receiving home health services?

Authors

Adrienne Angeles, Dominican University of California
Shanee Ben-Haim, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow
Amy Smith-Schwartz, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow
Kitsum Li, Department of Occupational Therapy, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

There has been a worldwide shift from viewing aging as a dependent stage of life to one that increasingly encourages independence and a more active lifestyle for older adults. In Australia, where this study was conducted, restorative care that embraces active aging was not yet considered an essential component of home health care on the national level. However, restorative home care has been gaining more recognition as increasing importance is placed on independence and self-management in older adults.

The researchers of this study explored whether older adults’ participation in restorative home care programs reduced the need for ongoing personal care. Participants were randomized into either a Home Independence Program (HIP) or basic home care services. The HIP consisted of three visits per week for 12 weeks or until goals were met, whichever occurred first. The program focused on optimizing functioning, preventing or delaying further functional decline, promoting healthy aging, and encouraging self-management of chronic diseases. The control group of basic home care services consisted of three personal care visits a week to assist with bathing/showering and house cleaning. By analyzing routinely collected service data from each group, outcomes were compared to see whether participants continued to need ongoing service after 3 months, and again after 12 months. Results showed that the HIP significantly decreased the odds of needing ongoing service at both 3 months and 12 months.

Comments

A product of the American Occupational Therapy Association's Evidence-based Literature Review Project.

Copyright

Copyright © 2015 American Occupational Therapy Association. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced here with permission.

Publisher's Statement

Originally published as: Angeles, A., Ben-Haim, S., Smith-Schwartz, A., & Li, K. Do restorative home care programs increase independence in ADLs and IADLs in older adults receiving home health services? [Critically Appraised paper] Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, Evidence-Based Practice Project.