IITA Improved Independency and functional capacity Through interActivity Research and development project

Goals of the IITA -project: to support clients during the discharge process to support clients coping at home and preservation of functional capacity to improve clients feeling of safety by using the interactive connection to provide a new form of social interaction to decrease the number of client visits at hospitals and health centers

The IITA -project is implemented: at Kuntokartano, which is a physical rehabilitation unit offering short term care the IITA-studio, where the IITA- service broadcasting is done (located in Kuntokartano) in the homes of clients where the clients participate in the IITA- service

IITA- project clients: are over 65 years old are residents of the western or southern home care district in Helsinki have sufficient functional capacity, hearing and vision are motivated to participate will consist primarily of lonely, isolated, frail and vulnerable elderly

IITA- service will include: Open Line (discussion and counseling) on weekdays (RN) Exercise session on weekdays (Physiotherapist) The IITA- service will be further developed in cooperation with home care personnel

Technology in clients homes: Broadband connection Central unit Touch screen for starting the connection Clients own TV- set as a screen

Time Line: Recruiting started in March 2008 Within the next 2.5 years the aim is to have 30 – 50 clients participating 10 clients can participate in the IITA- service at a time Physical rehabilitation period in Kuntokartano is from weeks followed by the IITA- service in the home up to 6 months. Project will end in 2010

IITA- PROJECT FROM CLIENT’S PERSPECTIVE Qualified clients from south/west Helsinki receive both verbal & written information about the project Client transfers to Kuntokartano from Hospital/home Physical rehabilitation begins Clients sign Informative agreement. Client is then officially recruited Client’s address is sent to technology supplier (Videra) and the residence receives broadband connection (takes 3-4 weeks ) Client continues rehabilitation routine with team of multidisciplinary professionals. Project workers participate in the rehab. process Client assessed by RAI, Berg, SPPB Clients oriented to the technology and practice with project workers Rehabilitation ends at Kuntokartano – clients reassessed by RAI, Berg, SPPB before discharge Client returns home from Kuntokartano Technology installed in home 2-3 days after return. Project worker visits and tests the equipment and connection with studio IITA-Service - max. 6 mo/client. -exercise sessions & Open Line mon-fri - after 3 mo. & 6 mo. RAI, Berg, SPPB assessments. -home care, studio, project workers, Videra working together After the 6 month intervention the technology is transferred to a new client