Challenges to Engaging Older Adults in a Group-Based Walking Intervention: Lessons From the Residents in Action Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Jenny L. Olson ◽  
Anthony Papathomas ◽  
Marlene Kritz ◽  
Nikos Ntoumanis ◽  
Eleanor Quested ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Retirement Village ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Walking Programs

This qualitative research explored older adults’ perceptions of participating in group-based walking programs set in independent-living retirement village contexts. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a subset of participants from the Residents in Action Trial. Data were analyzed through a combination of deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Findings were interpreted from a social identity perspective. Five themes were identified: (a) varying levels of social cohesion in retirement villages; (b) degree of shared identity between residents; (c) health, mobility, and preferred pace; (d) devotion to spouse; and (e) busy lives. When designing group-based walking interventions in retirement villages, it is important to consider community-level social cohesion and degree of relatedness between village residents. When attempting to build a sense of shared identity and relatedness between group members, researchers and policy makers should consider differing backgrounds, capabilities, schedules, and interests of participants.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Uptake and Adherence to Exercise Classes: Instructors’ Perspectives

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Hawley-Hague ◽  
Maria Horne ◽  
Dawn A. Skelton ◽  
Chris Todd
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Social Influences ◽  
Control Cost ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Exercise Classes ◽  
Unrealistic Expectations ◽  
Underlying Theme

Exercise classes provide a range of benefits for older adults, but adherence levels are poor. We know little of instructors’ experiences of delivering exercise classes to older adults. Semistructured interviews, informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), were conducted with instructors (n = 19) delivering multicomponent exercise classes to establish their perspectives on older adults’ uptake and adherence to exercise classes. Analysis revealed ‘barriers’ to uptake related to identity, choice/control, cost, and venue, and ‘solutions’ included providing choice/control, relating exercise to identity, a personal touch, and social support. Barriers to adherence included unrealistic expectations and social influences, and solutions identified were encouraging commitment, creating social cohesion, and an emphasis on achieving outcomes. Older adults’ attitudes were an underlying theme, which related to all barriers and solutions. The instructor plays an important, but not isolated, role in older adults’ uptake and adherence to classes. Instructors’ perspectives help us to further understand how we can design successful exercise classes.

scholarly journals HOME AND COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE FOR FRAIL OLDER ADULTS: A PATIENT, CAREGIVER, AND PRACTITIONER PERSPECTIVE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S691-S691
Author(s):  
Andrew McDonald ◽  
Rowena Rizzotti ◽  
Joanna Rivera ◽  
Grace Park ◽  
Antonina Garm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Tracking Devices ◽  
At Home

Abstract Frailty and the decline in ability to maintain independent living may be forestalled through discussions with healthcare providers and seniors about managing health at home. In addition, the use of technology in supplementing doctors’ visits to assess frailty progression may be easily adopted by some but not others. We conducted this qualitative study to elucidate the context in which seniors access care at home and current barriers to independent living, from the perspectives of both seniors and practitioners. Pre-approved discussion questions were administered to two audio-recorded focus group sessions of 14 participants. The first group were community-dwelling older adults and informal caregivers, while the second consisted of healthcare practitioners. Group members were sampled to include a range of health backgrounds and levels of technological expertise. Thematic analysis with NVivo Software was used to parse out key discussion topics from the audio transcripts. The caregiver/patient group emphasized the stigma of frailty and age-related isolation, desiring transparency and advocacy from care teams. Practitioners/researchers discussed the importance of a holistic biopsychosocial approach to frailty management and the need for standardized frailty measurement. Patients/caregivers used health-tracking devices at home and were more optimistic about telehealth/video-conferencing than practitioners. Awareness of contextual factors surrounding “aging in place” and what aspects of care are valued by patients and practitioners is key to advancing home health and paving the way for new evidence-based services in the home.

Effective Peer Leader Attributes for the Promotion of Walking in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1137-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene Kritz ◽  
Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani ◽  
Barbara Mullan ◽  
Joanne McVeigh ◽  
Nikos Ntoumanis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Peer Leaders ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Leader Attributes ◽  
Leader Training ◽  
Walking Programs ◽  
Leader Role ◽  
Peer Leader

Abstract Background and Objectives Peer-led interventions are promising for the promotion of physical activity behavior in older adults. However, little is known about the attributes of effective older peer leaders in such intervention programs. The objective was to determine what older adults perceive to be effective peer leader attributes. Research Design and Methods A mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design was used. Participants, aged 60 years and older, were recruited from retirement villages and existing walking groups in Western Australia. They were predominantly white, Australian-born, female, healthy retirees. The sample consisted of four groups of older adults: those who had taken part in past peer-led walking programs (experienced walkers; n = 18), those interested in joining as walkers in a peer-led walking intervention (inexperienced walkers; n = 43), those interested to take on a peer leader role (inexperienced peer leaders; n = 25), and those who had already served as peer leaders (experienced peer leaders; n = 15). Questionnaires measured perceived effective leadership attributes, and physical activity was measured using ActivPAL devices (N = 101; Mage [SD] = 75.36 [7.59]). Semistructured interviews were conducted with the majority of participants (N = 68; Mage [SD] = 74.68 [7.78]). Results Overall, participants described an effective peer leader as optimistic, compassionate, and friendly, but differences in perceptions were apparent between the groups. Discussion and Implications Our findings advance knowledge about important characteristics of an effective older peer leader, which can inform peer leader training, recruitment of peer leaders, and future scale development.

Staying Strong Together: Older People Engaging in Resistance Training With a Peer

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Paige Watkins ◽  
Anne-Marie Hill ◽  
Ian K. Thaver ◽  
Elissa Burton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Older People ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Resistance Training Program ◽  
Retirement Village ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

The aim of this qualitative exploratory study was to investigate older adults’ perceptions of having a peer to encourage their participation in resistance training. The participants were recruited from a retirement village to undergo a 6-week resistance training program. Some participants attended a center; others participated in their home. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and analyzed thematically using a six-phase framework to obtain the participants’ perspectives about the peer support they received. The participants (n = 21) had divergent views about peer support, with some finding it enabling, while others did not find it helpful. Overall, the participants suggested that peer support could be beneficial if offered as a choice. Further research is needed to determine whether peer support assists in sustaining resistance training engagement among older adults when the aspect of choice is included.

Associations Between Social and Physical Environments and Older Adults’ Walking for Transportation and Recreation

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
Ka Man Leung ◽  
Pak-Kwong Chung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Notable Effect ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
Walking For Transportation

This study examined the associations between physical environment, social environment, and walking for transportation and recreation among older adults in Hong Kong. Cross-sectional data from 450 older adults (79 years or younger [71.9%], female [79.7%]) from 18 districts in Hong Kong were used. The participants’ perceptions of their physical and social environments were collected, and their walking behaviors were self-reported. The results revealed that positive physical environment facilitators and social environments were associated with increased total walking. Only positive physical environment facilitators were associated with increased walking for transportation, and physical and social environments had no notable effect on walking for recreation. These findings suggest that policy makers and walking intervention designers should develop strategies to enhance physical and social environments to promote total walking and walking for transportation.

Equity in Telemedicine for Older Adults During the Covid-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihong Kuang ◽  
Guojun Zeng ◽  
Yunbo Nie ◽  
Yan Cai ◽  
Jin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Drug Prescription ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
West China Hospital ◽  
West China ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Online Treatment ◽  
Treatment Disparities

UNSTRUCTURED The COVID-19 pandemic spurred unprecedented progress on a paradigm shift to telemedicine to limit exposure to the virus. Telemedicine has many benefits. In the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, we use it to do COVID-19 related tele-educations to health professionals and general population, tele-diagnosis, online treatment and internet-based drug prescription and delivery. However, at our practices, we are noticing that many older adults could not make appointment with doctors due to their difficulty using the internet-based platform. We worried that older adults who need healthcare the most are not well prepared for this rapid change. We need to pay attention to avoid causing treatment disparities for vulnerable older adults 60 years of age and over. Researchers and policy makers should work together to study effective strategies and make proper policies to mitigate barriers older adults face when using telemedicine.

Sentencing Policy as a Force for Social Cohesion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Henham
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Social Reality ◽  
Social Forces ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Normative Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sentencing Policy

This chapter sets out the case for adopting a normative approach to conceptualizing the social reality of sentencing. It argues that policy-makers need to comprehend how sentencing is implicated in realizing state values and take greater account of the social forces that diminish the moral credibility of state sponsored punishment. The chapter reflects on the problems of relating social values to legal processes such as sentencing and argues that crude notions of ‘top down’ or ‘bottom up’ approaches to policy-making should be replaced by a process of contextualized policy-making. Finally, the chapter stresses the need for sentencing policy to reflect those moral attachments that bind citizens together in a relational or communitarian sense. It concludes by exploring these assertions in the light of the sentencing approach taken by the courts following the English riots of 2011.

scholarly journals Exploring the Motivators and Barriers of Older Adults Participating in an Interactive Exergame Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 402-402
Author(s):  
Breanna Crane ◽  
Brittany Drazich ◽  
Kyle Moored ◽  
Michelle Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Interactive Video ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Spatial Environment ◽  
Interactive Video Game

Abstract Cognitive and physical activity are important to maintaining daily functioning in older adults. While bidirectional associations between cognitive and physical activity magnify with increasing age, elucidating shared benefits has been difficult as few interventions explicitly train on cognition and mobility simultaneously. We conducted focus groups among 14 older adults residing in an independent-living center who participated in an interactive video game study called Bandit the Dolphin, where participants simultaneously incorporated cognitive exercise and physical activity while navigating within a complex spatial environment to help Bandit jump, eat fish, and stun sharks. Using ‘sneaky exercise’ tactics, participants utilized upper extremities in conjunction with slight lower extremity movement to move Bandit within a 3-D oceanic environment. We conducted 3 semi-structured focus groups and analyzed the data using the “Sort and Sift, Think and Shift” method to assess general likes and dislikes as well as the primary motivators, barriers, and reasons for remaining in the study. Participants enjoyed the immersive nature, challenge, and “fun factor” of the game. Primary motivators for joining were generativity/helping others, self-improvement, from peer referrals, and because the study looked interesting. Key barriers reported in the study were exhaustion from standing, learning how to play in 3-D space, and frustration from lack of level advancement. Reasons for retention were due to the game being fun, a sense of duty, and fulfilling commitments. This information will guide ongoing research efforts to design interactive video game interventions that are enjoyable for older adults and maintain high retention rates.

scholarly journals Rates of Cognitive and Functional Impairments in Older Adults Residing in a Continuing Care Senior Housing Community

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ryan Van Patten ◽  
Zanjbeel Mahmood ◽  
Tanya T. Nguyen ◽  
Jacqueline E. Maye ◽  
Ho-Cheol Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Continuing Care ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
Senior Housing ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Objective: The current cross-sectional study examined cognition and performance-based functional abilities in a continuing care senior housing community (CCSHC) that is comparable to other CCSHCs in the US with respect to residents’ demographic characteristics. Method: Participants were 110 older adult residents of the independent living unit. We assessed sociodemographics, mental health, neurocognitive functioning, and functional capacity. Results: Compared to normative samples, participants performed at or above expectations in terms of premorbid functioning, attention span and working memory, processing speed, timed set-shifting, inhibitory control, and confrontation naming. They performed below expectation in verbal fluency and verbal and visual learning and memory, with impairment rates [31.4% (>1 SD below the mean) and 18.49% (>1.5 SD below the mean)] well above the general population (16% and 7%, respectively). Within the cognitive test battery, two tests of delayed memory were most predictive of a global deficit score. Most cognitive test scores correlated with performance-based functional capacity. Conclusions: Overall, results suggest that a subset of older adults in the independent living sector of CCSHCs are cognitively and functionally impaired and are at risk for future dementia. Results also argue for the inclusion of memory tests in abbreviated screening batteries in this population. We suggest that CCSHCs implement regular cognitive screening procedures to identify and triage those older adults who could benefit from interventions and, potentially, a transition to a higher level of care.

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