Das Projekt Wohl.Fühlen

Background

Due to an aging population and therefore the rising number of nursing home residents, there is the need of developing and offering health-promoting and preventive concepts in this setting. Statutory basis is the German preventive health care act, which passed legislation in 2015.

Objective

Six residential and semi-residential care facilities in Lower Saxony and Bremen were accompanied during the development of health-promoting and preventive concepts on a participatory level. The Wohl.Fühlen project addresses two topics, prevention of violence and sexuality, which have rarely been addressed in this context. This paper reports the evaluation component of the project.

Materials and methods

An exploratory design and qualitative methods were applied. Steering groups with heterogeneous composition were formed in the care facilities, and individuals from these groups were interviewed.

Results

The project has led to increased awareness and sensitivity to these topics. Changes are less perceived outside the steering groups, with the assumption that concrete changes may become visible later. Networking has occurred and is perceived as helpful, but there are still potentials for further development.

Discussion

Barriers in the structures and conditions of inpatient elderly care confirm findings from the evaluation of other projects in the context of the Prevention Act. Particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the issue of violence prevention has gained renewed significance.

Conclusion

Prevention of violence and sexuality are essential topics in care facilities. Wohl.Fühlen has demonstrated ways to make sensitive topics discussable.