The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.
SMJ // Article
Original Article
Strength on Wheels: A Meal Delivery and Exercise Frailty Intervention for Homebound Older Adults
Abstract
Objective: The objective of our study was to design a meal delivery and exercise program for homebound older adults to optimize their functional independence.Methods: This article provides a transparent stepwise account of the development of a home-based meal delivery and exercise program, the use of home-based research procedures, preliminary outcomes, and program evaluation.
Results: The development of the Strength on Wheels intervention is described in six phases that follow the United Kingdom’s Medical Research Council guidance for complex interventions. Preliminary results (N = 9) of the treatment group had fewer frail participants, decreases in inflammatory markers, and higher levels of vitamin C.
Conclusions: Strength on Wheels was well received by our participants. All of the participants completed the full 12-week study, and there were no adverse events. The participants enjoyed being part of the study and believed that they were contributing to society. We saw positive, meaningful changes in frailty and biomarkers of inflammation and nutrition. We hope that adding a simple home-based exercise program can improve frailty, inflammatory markers, and nutritional status so that homebound older adults can age in place successfully.
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