Title : Effectiveness of the SQuI2 programme on the functionality of institutionalised elderly people
Abstract:
Ageing is a global challenge, and nursing homes are the main social support response in Portugal. Increasing longevity without compromising quality of life is challenging and will require teams’ reinforcement with the Rehabilitation Nurse standing out, who is qualified to apply multicomponent physical exercise programmes as the best strategy for improving functional indicators. Stop Quedas Idosos Institucionalizados (SQuI2) will be the programme applied by a rehabilitation nurse in a nursing home from the north of Portugal. The main goal is to assess the impact of SQuI2 on the functionality of institutionalized elderly people (independence in Activities of daily living, balance, walking capacity, muscle strength and risk of falling). Regarding the research methodology, a quantitative, quasi-experimental study was realized, with a convenience sample made up of institutionalized elderly people (n=60) from 2 nursing homes (intervention and control group, 30 members each). SQuI2 will be applied for 6 months. Independence in activities of daily living, balance, walking capacity, muscle strength and risk of falling will be the dependent variables monitored monthly using the following instruments: Barthel index, berg, functional ambulation categories, Morse scale and Medical Research Council Muscle Scale. A significant improvement in the functionality of the intervention group is expected and a reduction in the number of falls. This study highlights the importance of rethinking the traditional models of Portuguese nursing homes, reinforcing the rehabilitation nurse role in improving elderly functionality and implementing evidence-based practice.
