Through the input and direction of two local long-term care facilities and Fanshawe College in London, our research team has developed a specialized training program. This addresses the needs of both the staff and residents of long-term care facilities in Southwestern Ontario. We hope to be able reduce the rapid loss of independence which often is characterised by a state of learned helplessness and frailty. Canada has one of the highest rates of institutionalization of its elderly in the world. By definition individuals are placed in such facilities because they can no longer safely care for themselves.
Most residents have mobility problems and all have problems with functional capacity.
The institutional environment can foster the frail condition by reinforcing a sedentary lifestyle. The American Medical Association defines the frail elderly as persons over age 65 who have multiple disease processes that limit normal functional activity. Physical activity programming incorporated into weekly recreational activities for elderly residents is generally an accepted practice in Canadian long-term care institutions. As part of the preparation for an earlier research project, a needs assessment surveyed 27 long-term care institutions. In addition, the programs varied widely with respect to form, frequency, intensity and duration.