Study protocol of a mixed method pragmatic quasi-experimental trial to evaluate the day activity services targeted at older home care clients in Finland

Hanna Ristolainen; Leena Forma; Jemma Hawkins; Elisa Tiilikainen

doi:10.1186/s12877-022-03512-7

Study protocol of a mixed method pragmatic quasi-experimental trial to evaluate the day activity services targeted at older home care clients in Finland

BMC Geriatr. 2022 Oct 21;22(1):810. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03512-7.

Authors

Hanna Ristolainen¹, Leena Forma^{2

3}, Jemma Hawkins⁴, Elisa Tiilikainen⁵

Affiliations

¹ University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70211, Kuopio, Finland. hanna.ristolainen@uef.fi.
² Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Ratatie 22, 01300, Vantaa, Finland.
³ Faculty of Social Sciences and Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), Tampere University, Kalevantie 4, 33100, Tampere, Finland.
⁴ Cardiff University, Spark, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
⁵ University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.

Abstract

Background: In Finland, the 'day activity service' is targeted at older home care clients who are unable to participate in other available activities due to poor health or functional disabilities. The aim of the day activity service is to support home care client's ability to live at home and to enhance their wellbeing and social inclusion. This mixed method study examines the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and process of the day activity service.

Methods: The target sample size is 200 participants. The intervention group (n = 100) is composed of home care clients who begin to participate in the day activity service. The comparison group (n = 100) are home care clients who do not participate in the day activity service, and whose functioning and care needs are similar to the participants of the intervention group. The primary outcome is social inclusion (ESIS-scale). Secondary outcomes are loneliness (single item and De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale) and social care related quality of life (ASCOT). Baseline, three-month and six-month follow-up surveys are gathered from intervention and comparison group participants in order to compare outcomes between groups pre- and post-intervention. Costs of health and social services, based on administrative data, and the costs of the intervention are utilized in examining the cost-effectiveness of the intervention with the above-described measurements. Qualitative data are collected by interviewing the intervention participants (n = 10) and professionals working at the day activity centres and older people's services (4 focus groups) to explore the perceived outcomes and process of the intervention to find out how and why the intervention is effective or ineffective.

Discussion: The study seeks to produce a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and implementation process of the day activity service.

Trial registration: ISRCTN13146087, Registration date 03/04/2022.

Keywords: Day activity service; Home care; Loneliness; Quality of life; Social inclusion.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Finland / epidemiology
Home Care Services*
Humans
Pragmatic Clinical Trials as Topic
Quality of Life*
Research Design
Surveys and Questionnaires

Associated data

ISRCTN/ISRCTN13146087