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Short Abstract

This study demonstrates how participatory action research can help shift nursing home care culture from passivity towards the promotion of physical activity by engaging staff and older adults in co-creating solutions that integrate physical activity into daily routines.

Abstract

In nursing homes, older adults often live passive lives. Physical activity is not perceived as an integral part of daily life, and poor physical environments, limited professional activity promotion, and institutional barriers hinder older adults’ engagement in physical activity. This presentation examines how participatory action research can transform care culture in nursing homes to promote physical activity among older adults. A study was conducted in a Finnish 25-resident nursing home, involving 18 staff members, 17 older adults, and 6 family members in one participatory action research cycle (observe, plan, act, evaluate). Together, they co-designed and implemented three solutions to increase daily physical activity among older adults: afternoon activity groups, a more activating physical environment, and engaging older adults during mealtimes. The process fostered staff learning, teamwork, and bottom-up development of care practices and environments, leading to care culture change. While staff-led initiatives resulted in meaningful changes and increased physical activity, older adults’ involvement remained limited. This was partly due to advanced functional impairments that hindered participation, but also reflected the prevailing institutional model of care. These findings highlight the potential of participatory approaches to bridge the gap between research and practice, enabling context-sensitive, evidence-based innovation in institutional long-term care.