Aging affects functions of the hands among older adults living in homes for elderly people. The lack of opportunities to be active in daily living tasks during the day leads to the impairment of hand functions, upper extremity functions, grip functions, and overall manual dexterity. The aim of our experiment was to determine the impact of a six-month movement intervention programme on the hand function. We assessed the manual dexterity of older adults by means of the Test of Manipulation Functions, using the “Ministav” construction set. The sample tested was a group of 20 women and men, aged 70–93, who live permanently in a home for elderly people in Brno. The results represent the positive impact of the intervention programme on the hand function. The statistics proved a significant improvement in 7 subtests; only the subtest assessing the ability to lift the House object into a required height by the non-dominant hand using a finger grip proved deterioration. Generally, we succeeded in improving the co-ordination and co-operation of the upper extremities in most seniors; the quality of both the bidigital grip and the palm grip improved. The control measurements proved positive changes in targeted movements, the rapidity of the manual task performance increased, and the quality of cognitive functions improved.

Home for Elderly People Brno

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