Hulya Yucel, Assist. Prof. PT, PhD OT

Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul

e-mail: yucelhulya@hotmail.com

Work telephone:0090212 523 2288

Fax number:0090212 621 7578

Address: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakif University, Vatan Street, 34093 Fatih / Istanbul, Turkey

Purpose: Interests and skills in recreational activities are reduced with aging. This may be because of changes in many body functions. Not only aging, but also an un-well organised environment limits the functions of the elderly. Many have concern about participating in activity programs; therefore, activities in the elderly are more passive and home based. Not having attended in an activity programme brings many problems. In this presentation, multi-purpose activities which might be given to the elderly and their importance will be highlighted. This study was planned with the aim of showing the effectiveness of multi-purpose activity training in the elderly whom at home and in resthouse.

Relevance: Ergotherapy and physiotherapy complement each other. Ergotherapy approaches promote active aging through participation in activities prescribed according to needs. Ergotherapy in the elderly mainly focuses on maintaining activities of daily living succesfully, restoring decreased abilities, improving quality of life, continuity on social habits in a society, and providing psychosocial support.Scientists in the 21st century, specialized in therapeutic recreational activities, work to find significant activities for the elderly. These activities help them adapt themselves to changes in conditions, encourage them to express themselves, enable physical, sensory-motor, emotional, and cognitive well-being. The implementation of activities in the elderly is also essential to increase psychological well-being and improve cognitive skills. Further investigation about multi-purpose activities to inhibit the development of conditions such as depression and dementia is necessary.

Participants/Subjects: 34 elderly staying in a resthouse and 33 elderly living at home aged 65 years and above participated in the study.

Methods: Demographic features were recorded. Before and after activity training, physical performance test, Jebsen hand function test, short portative mental status questionnaire, Yesavage’s 30 point geriatric depression scale, word fluency test, and short form 36 health survey were performed. Activities in such as handicrafts, locomotor activities, and cognitive activities were performed two days a week for twelve weeks, each section lasted forty five minutes.

Analysis: Effectiveness of activities in an institute and at home were compared by two paired t test before and after the programme.

Results: After activities, the decrease of only depression was seen in the resthouse group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Although the elderly who stayed in a resthouse participated in activities which were their own choice, a significant difference was not seen in their quality of life. Our study showed that amplifing activity variety, making the elderly desire the activity and creating possibilities for them to participate into activities regularly and continuously are topics which might be studied to increase their quality of life. A good activity planning and also national campaigns are needed in order to change perceptions and encourage the elderly to participate in activity programmes.

Implications: The results indicate the need of considering other factors besides activity training to affect quality of life of elderly who stay in an institute. The cultural values, satisfaction, motivation, interests and roles in the society of the elderly are taken into account.

Key words: Aged, geriatrics, multi-purpose activities, activity training, depression, quality of life