Research

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II. Health Promotion and Fitness Interventions

As older adults enter a facility, functional fitness levels are evaluated with the HLR and recommendations for participation in appropriate physical activity program(s) are made.  Progress can be monitored with the periodic use of appropriate assessments of the HLR. Examples of successful Larksfield Place programs: 

• Annual Functional Fitness Assessment

• Be Fit to Drive

• Fall Avoidance

• Reconditioning Programs

• Living with Pulmonary Limitations

• Quality of Life Programs and Services

• Reconditioning Programs

• Strength with VitaBand

• Water Fitness

• Yoga

EXAMPLE A

Ruth B - age 84 showed the following performance data for the years 2004 through 2006. After her initial screening with the HLR, Ruth participated in a general fitness program consisting of stretching and walking exercises. Her second screening a year later detected an increased number of falls and reductions in her fall efficacy, muscle strength, and mobility. After reviewing these results, it was recommended to Ruth that she participate in a Better Balance class designed specifically to improve strength and balance by targeting visual, vestibular, and somatosensory perception using foam mats. After one year of participation in this program, Ruth had regained her strength and mobility  and had avoided suffering a fall. At this time, Ruth is engaging in a more challenging physical intervention program to further improve her strength and balance. This class utilizes large balls that participants sit and lie on to enhance sensory perception and muscle strength. Subsequent assessments using the HLR will determine Ruth's progress and the effectiveness of this program.

Assessment	2004	2005	2006
ADL	18	16	19
IADL	12	12	12
Number of falls	0	2	0
Fall efficacy	90	65	93
Up-and-Go (sec)	5.2	6.7	5.5
Lower Body ROM (in)	-2	-2	-3
Upper Body ROM (in)	-4	-5	-5
Arm strength	15	11	16
Leg strength	14	9	15
Body mass index	33	32	32

EXAMPLE B

Residents that participated in both the 2005 and 2006 Functional Fitness Assessment
increased their grip strength, but overall the 2006 grip strength declined from 2005

Blue = 2005 All participants
Red = participants who did the assessments in both 05 and 06
Yellow = 2006 All participants

EXAMPLE C

Residents that participated in both the 2005 and 2006 Functional Fitness Assessment increased
 their walking speed by 16 plus yards or 2.26 mph to 2.35 mph.

Overall the 2006 walking speed was 418.12 yds or
 2.38 miles an increase of 20.66 yds or .12 mph over the 2005 walking speed

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  III. Strategic Planning

Data from the HLR can be very useful both from a management perspective and a planning perspective with the board of directors. For example, the graph below was generated with HLR data. The increased slope of the chronicity data suggest that residents entering the CCRC are more chronic, which will have implications for planning future services and staffing needs. The decreasing slope of the Mini-Mental State Exam suggests that expansion of the dementia unit is not needed at this time.

IV. Research

Analysis of HLR data has been used in numerous research projects in conjunction with academic entities. 
See the History page to view abstracts.

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