Kennzeichen von Menschen mit einer Ortsfixierung – eine explorative Sekundäranalyse

Local confinement is one of the most important phenomena related to mobility limitations and being bedridden. There is little research focussing this issue and empirical evidence about characteristics is rare.

The aim of this work is to determine the possible characteristics of location confinement. As part of the PEBKO and IKK-PEP projects day care users and nursing home residents were examined, focusing on the mobility status and local confinement. To approach the phenomena, a secondary analysis was carried out. The convenience sampling involved 77 persons from 4 nursing homes and 4 day-care facilities.

Of the 77 persons 33 (42.9%) were fixed in terms of local confinement. Persons with a local confinement are less mobile related to the EBoMo score (median 44 vs. 54; p < 0.001), more often need an assistive device for walking (93.9% vs. 47.7%; p < 0.001), report a lower health-related quality of life (median 0.47 vs. 0.93; p < 0.001) and have to take more drugs (10 vs. 6; p = 0.015). The prevalence of certain chronic diseases differs only partially. In confined persons, cardiac arrythmia (30.3% vs. 11.4%; p = 0.038) and paresis (21.2% vs. 4.5%; p = 0.024) are more frequent but dementia is less frequent (18.2% vs. 40.9%; p = 0.033).

The phenomenon of local confinement frequently occurs in both settings. Further research on the prevalence and risk factors is necessary to develop effective preventive programs, which could prevent being bedridden as well.