Project summary
Champion Life Education Ltd in partnership with University of the Sunshine Coast and Comlink Australia has been awarded an ARIIA grant for their project ‘Online physical activity and wellbeing intervention supporting personal care workers to improve physical and mental wellbeing for older adults’.
This project will implement and evaluate a personalised physical activity and wellbeing monitoring program (the intervention) through an online platform (Champion Life Seniors) utilising follow-along videos focusing on functional mobility.
The target population are community-dwelling older adults (OA) receiving care through Home Care Packages (HCP). Personal care workers (PCWs) will integrate the 15-minute program into their service visits 2 times per week over 6 months The project will allow PCWs to easily implement, deliver and monitor an evidenced-based intervention developed and presented by allied health professionals (AHP).
This project increases PCW’s capacity to improve functional mobility and monitor wellbeing with the expected outcome being improved physical and mental wellbeing of OAs. AHPs will assess each participant prior to commencing, set them a program based on the OA’s functional goals and abilities and be contactable through the platform during the intervention.
Initial pilot testing with a group of OA’s and PCW’s will be followed by a co-design process with the researchers to improve the primary intervention. Champion Life Seniors (CLS) will be evaluated for effectiveness of the intervention, feasibility of implementation by PCWs and usability by PCW and OA participants with the aim of establishing the long-term fidelity of the program.
Project outcomes
Background and Aims
The project aimed to address gaps in aged care workforce capability to support older adult wellbeing. This was done by evaluating the effectiveness of an online functional movement and wellbeing program, that was delivered with the support of care workers to improve physical and mental health outcomes for older adults.
What We Did
- Implemented a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the Champion Life Seniors (CLS) program with older adults receiving home care services from Comlink.
- Delivered personalised exercise programs via iPads, with sessions conducted twice weekly over six months.
- Conducted functional fitness assessments and wellbeing evaluations pre and post-intervention.
Outcomes
Participants using CLS showed significant improvements in:
- Wellbeing (+23%)
- Reduced frailty
- Lower body strength (+9%)
- Improved Quality of Life (5%)
- Balance and reduced fall risk (+15%)
- Aerobic endurance (+32%)
Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting improved physical health, increased social interaction, and overall enjoyment.
Key evaluation findings
Statistically significant improvements in wellbeing, frailty, balance, and aerobic endurance among older adults engaging with the Champion Life Seniors program compared to control participants. Participants reported meaningful enhancements to their quality of life and functional independence.
Impact on Aged Care and Workforce
- Demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of digital-supported exercise interventions in home care settings.
- Enhances personal care workers' ability to support clients’ physical and mental wellbeing without additional professional training.
- Offers scalable solutions for maintaining functional independence and reducing care burdens.
Resources
- Champion Life Seniors online exercise platform and wellbeing tracking dashboard.
- Educational video resources for care workers to enhance their capability.
- Champion Life Seniors Evidence and Impact report
Next Steps
- Dissemination of findings through industry conferences and peer-reviewed publications.
- Exploration of opportunities for broader implementation across Australian aged care providers.
- Rapid Applied Research Translation/MRFF application in program to expand Champion Life Seniors to regional, rural and remote Australia.
Key contact for further information:
Kym Hunter, Managing Director, Champion Life Education
Email: kym@championlife.com.au