Enriched Tai Chi (ETC) Program Enhances Quality of Life for Older Adults in Assisted Living Facility: Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: Older adults living in assisted living facilities (ALFs) are at risk for physical and mental health decline that precipitates nursing home placement. There is a need for an exercise program that improves the quality of life (QOL) for older adults living in the ALFs. This study’s primary purpose was to investigate the feasibility of an Enriched tai chi (ETC) intervention program on improving the QOL of older adults living in an ALF. Method: A convenience sample of six older adults living in the same ALF attended the ETC program for 16 consecutive sessions two times per week for 8 weeks. A pre-test and post-test one-group design was used. The 36-Item Short Form Survey and the Beck depression inventory were used to measure QOL and mood at baseline, the 4th week, and the 8th week of the study. Results: Wilcoxon sign rank test on pre and postintervention SF-36 scores were significant (p < .05). Pre-test and post-test intervention changes in mood were significantly improved (BDI; p < .05). Conclusion: These findings suggest the ETC program may be a feasible intervention to improve the QOL of older adults in ALFs, warranting the need for further research.

Keywords

• quality of life
• assisted living
• tai chi