A pilot project in Edinburgh has been credited with boosting the quality of life for older people in a leading care home.
Residents at Glencairn, which is operated by Renaissance Care, took part in a scheme that aims to improve mobility and reduce the potential for falls.
Delivered in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure and Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, the three month pilot project has been hailed a success amid evidence that residents demonstrated improved mobility with a 100 per cent reduction in falls among participating residents.
Notable improvements in residents’ independence, confidence and mood were also observed.
Rene Rigby, from Scottish Care, said: “The evaluation findings show that the programme has demonstrated meaningful improvements in physical function amongst participants.
“In addition to the physical benefits, there is strong evidence of improved wellbeing. Residents demonstrated increased talking, concentration, participation, smiling and laughter throughout the programme, while self-rated health scores also improved.
“Feedback from residents, relatives and care home staff consistently highlighted increased confidence, improved mood, greater independence and enhanced quality of life.”
The project – Strength and Balance Test of Change – measured older peoples’ ability to perform set tasks, with their progress closely monitored to track progress.
These included Functional Reach, which measures the distance a resident is able to reach forward; a 180 degree Turn, either unaided or with minimal assistance from a physiotherapist; and Timed Up and Go, which measures the time it takes for a resident to rise from a seated position, walk to a fixed point and return to their seat.
Participants showed improvement in at least one physical outcome measure, with 100% improving their Functional Reach score, 75% improving their 180 degree turn and 50% improving their Timed Up and Go assessment.
Rigby added: “Given the average participant age of 89 years and the high levels of frailty within the cohort, these results are particularly encouraging.”
Jozi Stables, manager of Glencairn, said: “The improvement in our participating residents’ confidence has fed into every aspect of their lives at Glencairn.
“They are more confident in moving around, they are more involved in activities in and outwith the home and there is more social interaction between individuals.”
Similar results have been achieved at Cairdean House, a residential home in Colinton, operated by Care UK, which also took part in the project.
