scholarly journals Social Networks and Physical Activity in Senior Housing: A Pilot Feasibility Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 201-208
Author(s):  
Noah J. Webster ◽  
Toni C. Antonucci ◽  
Neil B. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Strategic Partnership ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Senior Housing ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

Objective: Only 16% of people aged >65 years engage in recommended levels of physical activity, putting a vast major­ity at risk for multiple chronic conditions including heart disease. Physical activity is even lower among older adults with fewer economic resources. Research is needed to develop context-specific approaches to pair with physical activity interventions to increase effectiveness. In this pilot study, we examine social ties and physical activity levels of older adults living in a US Depart­ment of Housing and Urban Development subsidized senior housing community to test feasibility of a social network-based approach to physical activity interventions. This study is grounded in Social Contagion Theory and the Convoy Model of Social Relations, which argue health and health-related behaviors are facilitated through network ties.Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted over the course of three months (September- November 2018) with 46 residents living in a low-income senior housing community in southeast Michigan. Residents were asked about physical activity, people they know in the community, and their close social network composition.Results: Residents reported knowing, on average, six other residents and approxi­mately 28% of those in their close networks were also residents. Sociocentric network analysis identified two socially engaged (known by seven or more other residents) physically active residents, whereas ego-centric analysis identified four (60% or more of their network comprised residents).Conclusions: This study demonstrates potential feasibility of a strategic partnership that involves pairing social resources with physical activity interventions in afford­able senior housing. Multiple approaches, which need to be evaluated, exist to identify socially engaged residents.Ethn Dis. 2019;29(Suppl 1): 201-208; doi:10.18865/ ed.29.S1.201.

scholarly journals Social Networks and Physical Activity in Senior Housing: A Pilot Feasibility Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 201-208
Author(s):  
Noah J. Webster ◽  
Toni C. Antonucci ◽  
Neil B. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Strategic Partnership ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Senior Housing ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

Objective: Only 16% of people aged >65 years engage in recommended levels of physical activity, putting a vast major­ity at risk for multiple chronic conditions including heart disease. Physical activity is even lower among older adults with fewer economic resources. Research is needed to develop context-specific approaches to pair with physical activity interventions to increase effectiveness. In this pilot study, we examine social ties and physical activity levels of older adults living in a US Depart­ment of Housing and Urban Development subsidized senior housing community to test feasibility of a social network-based approach to physical activity interventions. This study is grounded in Social Contagion Theory and the Convoy Model of Social Relations, which argue health and health-related behaviors are facilitated through network ties.Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted over the course of three months (September- November 2018) with 46 residents living in a low-income senior housing community in southeast Michigan. Residents were asked about physical activity, people they know in the community, and their close social network composition.Results: Residents reported knowing, on average, six other residents and approxi­mately 28% of those in their close networks were also residents. Sociocentric network analysis identified two socially engaged (known by seven or more other residents) physically active residents, whereas ego-centric analysis identified four (60% or more of their network comprised residents).Conclusions: This study demonstrates potential feasibility of a strategic partnership that involves pairing social resources with physical activity interventions in afford­able senior housing. Multiple approaches, which need to be evaluated, exist to identify socially engaged residents.Ethn Dis. 2019;29(Suppl 1): 201-208; doi:10.18865/ed.29.S1.201.

scholarly journals Engaging older adults as advocates for age-friendly, walkable communities: The Senior Change Makers Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M Patch ◽  
Terry L Conway ◽  
Jacqueline Kerr ◽  
Elva M Arredondo ◽  
Susan Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Senior Housing ◽  
Advocacy Training ◽  
Advocacy Program ◽  
Transportation Activity

Abstract As the U.S. population ages, communities must adapt to help older adults thrive. Built environment features, like safe sidewalks and crosswalks, provide the foundation for age- and physical activity-friendly communities. Controlled studies are needed to evaluate advocacy training programs that instruct and support seniors to advocate for more walkable neighborhoods. The Senior Change Makers Pilot Study evaluated an advocacy program that taught seniors to evaluate pedestrian environments using the validated MAPS-Mini audit tool, identify barriers, and advocate for improvements. Participants (n = 50) were recruited from four low-income senior housing sites in San Diego, CA, which were randomly assigned to an 8-week advocacy program or physical activity (PA) comparison intervention. Evaluation included surveys, accelerometers to assess PA, and direct observation. Primary outcomes were seniors’ advocacy confidence and skills. Main analyses used repeated measures ANOVAs. Seniors in the advocacy condition (n = 17) increased their advocacy outcome efficacy (p = .03) and knowledge of resources (p = .04) more than seniors in the PA condition (n = 33). Most seniors in the advocacy condition completed a street audit (84%), submitted an advocacy request (79%), or made an advocacy presentation to city staff (58%). Environmental changes included repairs to sidewalks and crosswalks. City staff approved requests for lighting, curb cuts, and crosswalk markings. Seniors’ accelerometer-measured PA did not significantly increase, but self-reported transportation activity increased in the PA condition (p = .04). This study showed the potential of advocacy training to empower seniors to make communities more age- and activity-friendly.

scholarly journals PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: HARNESSING SOCIAL NETWORKS TO OPTIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTS FOR DIVERSE AGING EXPERIENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S583-S583
Author(s):  
Philip A Rozario ◽  
Emily Greenfield ◽  
Nancy Kusmaul
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Senior Housing

Abstract Social networks provide opportunities for engagement with others and structure the receipt and provision of emotional, instrumental, informational and appraisal support. Indeed scholars in this field have documented the importance of having strong social networks in influencing older adults’ well-being and quality of life. The three papers in this symposium draw on the convoy model of social relations and ecological model to examine and better understand the micro, mezzo, macro contexts that shape and influence how older people engage with and benefit from their networks in three areas: low-income senior housing communities, urban areas specifically targeting older Latinos with dementia, and disaster preparedness in micropolitan counties in eastern Iowa. The first paper, a cross-sectional study focusing on social connections in senior housing communities, examines levels of social networks, engagement, support and loneliness and their relationship with well-being outcomes. The second paper, a community-based participatory research project, reports an intervention that seeks to train natural helpers in a predominantly Latino urban neighborhood to identify and refer older Latinos with dementia to bilingual assessment services. The third paper, synthesizing findings from interventions targeting network building at the individual and state levels as well as a community-based network analysis, presents ways to strengthen networks at the mezzo and macro levels as well as environmental contexts that enable better disaster preparedness for community-based older adults. These papers will consider practice, policy and research implications in strengthening social networks and engagement to optimize older adults’ well-being in various settings.

scholarly journals Multilevel Factors for Life Satisfaction Among Residents in Non-Urban Subsidized Senior Housing

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 109-109
Author(s):  
BoRin Kim ◽  
Sojung Park ◽  
Casey Golomsky ◽  
Marguerite Corvini ◽  
Allison Wilder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Senior Housing ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Although a quarter of HUD-assisted properties for older adults are located in rural/non-metropolitan areas, there is limited understanding of the population living in these locations. Advanced age and low income are known risk factors for poor physical and mental health. Older adults in rural subsidized housings may be at increased risk for poor health and social isolation due to their isolated locations and small-scale housing complexes. This presents the additional challenge of service provision for the residents’ needs. This study aims to explore multi-level factors affecting life satisfaction among residents in subsidized senior housing. Data were collected for five subsidized senior housings in New Hampshire: two in Coos county (rural, population=33,055) and three in Strafford county (suburban, population=128,613). Mixed-methods approaches were used: Community/organizational-level data were collected using semi-structured interviews conducted with the directors of senior housings. At the individual level, quantitative survey data were collected from 82 residents of five senior housings. Contrary to expectations, we found that residents in rural senior housings were likely to report better life satisfaction (Coef.=0.597, p<.01) than those in suburban areas despite controlling for individual-level factors such as age, gender, education, marital status, health, social relations, and service use. The most salient terms used in the interviews with directors of rural senior housings include limited resources, tight community, and emotional support. The last two may be protective factors positively influencing life satisfaction among their residents. Our results contribute to development strategies to improve quality of life among residents in rural/non-metropolitan subsidized senior housing.

scholarly journals Habitual Physical Activity and Diabetes Control in Young and Older Adults with Type II Diabetes: A Longitudinal Correlational Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1330
Author(s):  
Chia-Hsun Chang ◽  
Ching-Pyng Kuo ◽  
Chien-Ning Huang ◽  
Shiow-Li Hwang ◽  
Wen-Chun Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Type Ii Diabetes ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Diabetes Control ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Correlational Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Daily Physical Activities ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

This study aimed to determine whether daily physical activity in young and older adults with T2DM is associated with diabetes control. A prospective correlational study involving 206 young (≤65 years) and older (>65 years) adults was conducted. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess their daily physical activity levels. Patients’ mean HbA1c level was 7.8% (±1.4), and 95.9% of patients had unsatisfactory diabetes control. Performing more minutes per week of moderate-intensity daily physical activity was associated with a lower risk of glycemia in both young and older adults. Furthermore, moderate daily physical activity significantly lowered the risk of glycemia. Health personnel must encourage patients to engage in moderate daily physical activities to improve diabetes control.

Physical activity levels in older adults with ID are extremely low

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. S48-S49
Author(s):  
T. Hilgenkamp ◽  
R. Van Wijck ◽  
H. Evenhuis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

scholarly journals Walking Cadence to Exercise at Moderate Intensity for Adults: A Systematic Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Slaght ◽  
M. Sénéchal ◽  
T. J. Hrubeniuk ◽  
A. Mayo ◽  
D. R. Bouchard
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Aerobic Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Background. Most adults choose walking as a leisure activity. However, many do not reach the international physical activity guidelines for adults, which recommend moderate intensity aerobic activity for at least 150 minutes/week in bouts of 10 minutes. Purpose. This systematic review provides an update on the walking cadence required to reach moderate intensity in adults and older adults, identifies variables associated with reaching moderate intensity, and evaluates how walking cadence intensity should be measured, but the main purpose is to report the interventions that have been attempted to prescribe walking cadence to increase time spent at moderate intensity or other outcomes for adults and older adults. Methods. SportDISCUS, Scopus, and PubMed databases were searched. We identified 3,917 articles and 31 were retained for this systematic review. Only articles written in English were included. Results. In general, 100 steps/minute is prescribed for adults to achieve moderate intensity, but older adults may require a higher cadence. Currently, few studies have explored using walking cadence prescription as an intervention to increase physical activity levels. Conclusion. Prescribing walking cadence as a way to increase physical activity levels has potential as a practical and useful strategy, but more evidence is required to assess its ability to increase physical activity levels at moderate intensity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document