Challenging the Active Ageing (AA) concept in residential care: correlation between quality of life and meaningful activities

Objectives Professionals in nursing homes (NH) are expected to enable residents to engage in meaningful activities and promote autonomy, both of which are closely related to the concept of Active Ageing (AA). Nonetheless, AA is hardly implemented in NH. Inhibiting and facilitating factors are related to the resident, the environment and the Activity Repertoire (AR). This study explores the meaningfulness of residents' AR and its correlation to Quality of Life (QoL). Methods A survey was administered to 143 cognitively healthy residents (M 85 years; 43 men and 106 women) including: cognitive, functional and mobility evaluations, a questionnaire on AR and the Amnestic-Comparative-Self-Assessment (ACSA) for QoL. Results Respondents reported a positive QoL of 1.78 (range -5+5; modus 3), but reported since their admission in the NH an important loss of autonomy in self-care, of meaningful instrumental activities (e.g. housekeeping) (M 4.39) and advanced activities (e.g. hobby and leisure). However, 38 respondents gained 'new' activities, such as making crosswords and using a computer. Participants' scored their performance on average 4.5/10, satisfaction with performance 5.3/10. The challenge experienced within the activities scored 5.4/10. No correlations were found between QoL and the number, performance and satisfaction of activities, only a significant correlation was observed with the parameter 'activities according to the individual wishes' (r=.272; P<0.05) and 'within the neighborhood' (r=.167; P<0.05). Conclusion This suggest that NH-activities are not personally meaningful. It remains a challenge to identify the needs of NH-residents and enable them to engage in meaningful activities.