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Background: Residents of residential aged care experience high levels of frailty, falls, functional decline, depression and reduced quality of life, yet access to coordinated allied health services is often limited. The Enhancing Allied Health for Older People in Residential Care (EAHOP) trial evaluated an integrated, transdisciplinary allied health model delivered in a residential aged care setting. Methods: EAHOP was a single site, pragmatic, pre–post clinical trial conducted in a 100 bed residential aged care home in Canberra, Australia. Residents received an individualised program of allied health interventions including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, speech pathology, pharmacy and optometry, integrated with existing staff and general practitioners. Primary outcomes were falls, frailty (Frail NH), physical function (SPPB), depressive symptoms (PHQ 9) and quality of life (QOL ACC). Outcomes were assessed at two baseline time points, during the intervention (up to 36 weeks), and at 24 week follow up using mixed effects models. Results: Thirty five residents (mean age 85.7 years) completed baseline assessments. Frailty was maintained across the study period, with small improvements observed during the intervention. Depressive symptoms improved at week 36 (p = 0.008), while quality of life improved at week 24 (p = 0.007). Physical function demonstrated small, non significant changes. Falls increased during the intervention period (RR:1.61, 95% CI 1.19–2.17) but returned to baseline levels at follow up. Conclusion: An integrated, person centred allied health model can maintain frailty and produce meaningful improvements in quality of life and depressive symptoms among aged care residents. Results highlight the importance of system level fall prevention strategies when increasing resident activity.
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