Effectiveness of a home-visit program on improving self-efficacy toward going out：Support in homebound elderly

Abstract

The present study investigated the effectiveness of a home-visit program on improving the self-efficacy toward going out in homebound elderly. Participants comprised 14 people whose frequency of going out was less than once a week. The program consisted of locomotion training instruction by home-visiting public health nurses and verbal support to set going out goals and improve self-efficacy toward going out. Including pre- and post-evaluations, the program comprised four visits and weekly telephone support. The intervention period was approximately two months followed by a three-month post-intervention evaluation. Significant increases were indicated in the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence, self-efficacy of going out, and one-leg standing time with eyes open, with continuing effectiveness noted at follow-up. Moreover, homebound status was confirmed in one participant at the end of the intervention and two participants at follow-up. The present program suggested to improve self-efficacy and physical function of homebound elderly.