Aim: To determine whether the Japanese preventive-care version of the Minimum Data Set-Home Care improves the health-related behaviors of older adults and the skills of preventive-care managers.
Methods: Municipal preventive-care managers were instructed on the use of the Japanese preventive-care version of the Minimum Data Set--Home Care and asked to employ it in their interactions with clients during the intervention period (intervention group). The health-related behaviors of older adults (maintenance of self-care and consumption of a balanced diet) were assessed by self-rating methods. The skills of the preventive-care managers were assessed by considering the number of and variations in the needs of the clients, as reflected in the care plans formulated by the managers.
Results: The clients' self-care levels were higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). A greater number of needs, as reflected in the care plans, were noted in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the variation in the assessed needs was greater in the former than in the latter.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the Japanese preventive-care version of the Minimum Data Set--Home Care may improve the skills of preventive-care managers, and consequently, the health-related behaviors of frail older clients.