Herausforderungen der Mobilitätsförderung in Pflegeeinrichtungen

The promotion of mobility in nursing homes is highly important due to preventive and curative effects. This study aims to show the extent of mobility promotion in German nursing homes and investigate the influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on this promotion. In addition, the influence of the number of beds available in a nursing home (AP) and the amount of monthly copayment (EA) are examined.

In the two-stage explorative study, facility and care service managers (N = 16) were interviewed via telephone about the mobility of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative content analysis and quantification of the statements followed by a Pearson correlation analysis was performed.

The promotion of mobility in the facilities is primarily conducted by the nursing staff or external healthcare providers and implemented as movement training. Mobility promotion increased with AP (r = 0.502; p = 0.057) and EA (r = 0.788; p < 0.001). Mobility promotion was negatively affected at all surveyed facilities due to, for example, isolation and fear. The qualitative analysis indicated that the promotion of mobility within the facilities was primarily carried out by nursing staff or external physiotherapists through exercise programs.

The shortage of skilled professionals, lack of funding opportunities and different priorities in nursing homes with low AP and EA are obstacles. Influences such as the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, led to isolation and prevented the implementation of mobility interventions at all facilities. Therefore, digital programs, guidelines for the design of mobility-promoting interventions during pandemics, and political actions to counteract the shortage of skilled workers could represent solutions.