The health‐related quality of life of older people through preventive home visits: A quantitative longitudinal study

Abstract

AbstractAims and ObjectivesPreventive home visits are a low‐threshold counselling and support approach. They have been reported to achieve heterogeneous effects. However, preventive home visits have the potential to reduce the risk of becoming dependent on long‐term care. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of preventive home visits as a nursing intervention on health‐related quality of life of older people in a longitudinal survey and to develop recommendations for which target groups preventive home visits have the highest benefit. The sample consisted of 75 people, aged between 65 and 85, who were able to understand and speak German, had not yet been eligible for benefits from the long‐term care insurance and lived in the municipality under study.Methodological Design and JustificationA quantitative longitudinal study in order to investigate the effects of preventive home visits.Ethical Issues and ApprovalThere were no ethical concerns. Accordingly, ethical approval was granted.Research Methods, Results and ConclusionsThe health‐related quality of life was recorded four times between 01/2017 and 08/2020 with the Short‐Form‐Health‐Survey‐12 and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results reveal that the physical health status cannot be easily influenced over a short period of time. The main effect, however, is that preventive home visits have a significant positive effect on the mental health status. The main topics during the home visits were mobility, nutrition and social participation. Increased knowledge and motivation for preventive behaviour extended the autonomy of older people. Accordingly, preventive home visits can support a self‐determined life in a familiar environment. The results of the present study show that preventive home visits as a nursing intervention in rural areas are successful. In Germany, preventive home visits have not yet been implemented on a regular basis. In order to do so, a general definition of the concept is needed. Preventive home visits should be officially included in the regular health care services in Germany.