Effect of a care process programme on frail older people's life satisfaction

Nurs Open. 2019 Jun 11;6(3):1097-1104. doi: 10.1002/nop2.300. eCollection 2019 Jul.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of a full-scale implementation of a care process programme on life satisfaction among frail older people, as compared with those receiving usual care.

Design: The study includes participants from a full-scale care process programme (N = 77) and participants from a historical control group (N = 66). The care process programme establishes a comprehensive continuum of care through components including case management, interprofessional teamwork and care-planning meetings in the older people's own homes.

Methods: Questionnaires were used and data were collected at baseline, with follow-ups at three, six and 12 months.

Results: The implementation of the full-scale care process programme had a positive effect on life satisfaction among frail older people. From 6-month-12-month follow-ups, a higher proportion of participants in the care process programme had positive life satisfaction outcomes, as compared with the historical control group.

Keywords: continuum of care; frail older adults; life satisfaction; outcome study.