None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The project will focus on older adults living independently in the community, and who are on the cusp of Functional Declune (FD). We will conduct a nested RCT within a 13 month longitudinal observational study. In the observational study we will apply a simple, previously untested quality of life screen to detect incipient Functional Decline, one month following an Emergency Dept presentation that did not result in an inpatient admission. Those individuals with low scores at the point of screening will enter the RCT, which will test the effectiveness of a novel, early, home-based, personalised program (compared with ‘usual care’) in arresting or slowing Functional Decline.
Interventions
In line with a patient-centred philosphy an individualised lifestyle intervention program will be provided, following comprehensive assessment and functional goal setting by trained physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists. The intervention will be structured to meet individuals' needs and so the frequency of contacts per week and the overall duration of the program will vary (3 to 14 weeks). Intervention could include attendance at day therapy centres, exercise, fitness, balance-retrain
In line with a patient-centred philosphy an individualised lifestyle intervention program will be provided, following comprehensive assessment and functional goal setting by trained physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists. The intervention will be structured to meet individuals' needs and so the frequency of contacts per week and the overall duration of the program will vary (3 to 14 weeks). Intervention could include attendance at day therapy centres, exercise, fitness, balance-retraining and/or socialisation, organisation of home help or community care packages, motivational interviewing or counselling. NOTE: This RCT will be nested within a larger longitudinal cohort study that will evaluate functional decline over 13 months in older people who present to an Emergency Dept with non-catastrophic illness. All participants will be assessed at 1, 4, 7 13 months. Those participants assessed at 1 month follow-up to be at risk for functional decline (Score of <55 on the Mental Componenet Score of the SF-12) will enter the RCT.
Sponsors
University of South Australia
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Aged 65 years or older. Presented to an Emergency Department with non-catastrophic health conditions which will not result in admission to hospital for further care. A score of <55 on the Mental Component Score of the SF12 instument one month after Emergency Department presentation.
Exclusion criteria
Suffering communicable diseases requiring isolation. Current mental health crisis. Under detention. Diagnosis of dementia. Unable to communicate in English. Profoundly deaf (such as would limit telephone communication at follow-up).
Outcome results
None listed