Home rehabilitation assistant improves the quality of life of the elderly
Leinonen, R.; Niemelä, K.; Jokinen, S.; Kangas, I.; Laukkanen, P.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 125(14): 1557-1565
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 19711578 Document Number: 635015
We investigated the health status, functional ability, mood and quality of life of 464 persons undergoing a rehabilitation period in two centers for care and rehabilition for war veterans' by comprehensive interviews and measurements of functional ability. The investigation involved a 2 to 4-week period in a rehabilitation unit and a controlled investigation with a home rehabilitation assistant for one year. Hand grip strength, knee extension strength and walking speed, among other things, improved during the institutional rehabilitation period. The rehabilitation period study included no control group. During the one-year follow-up, those participating in the home rehabilitation assistant intervention considered their quality of life and health better than in the beginning of the study.