TY - JOUR
T1 - Activity disengagement
T2 - Understanding challenges and opportunities for reengagement
AU - Fox, Krista
AU - Morrow-Howell, Nancy
AU - Herbers, Stephanie
AU - Battista, Paula
AU - Baum, Carolyn M.
N1 - Funding Information:
2.1. Participants. Participants lived in a publically subsidized apartment complex for low income older adults aged 60 and older. T he site of fers enhanced health and social programming funded through grant and private money. Resources offered by the site included congregate meals, activity programs, and supportive social services. No in-home supportive services were provided. We chose thesiteasitofferedavariety of activities for their residents and local older adults including art classes, field trips, a community garden, concerts, and wellness fairs. To participate in the study, individuals needed to be living independently in an apartment or home, 60 years or older, and able to complete an interview in English. Residents of the senior apartments and congregate meal participants that lived elsewhere in the community were considered eligible. A total of 51 participants, 42 females and 9 males, were recruited by facility staff using informational flyers posted throughout the building. Ages ranged from 63 to 93, averaging 78.7 years. Fifty-one percent of the sample was widowed, and 33.3% was divorced; there was only one participant who was married. Seventy-four percent of participants were retired; 14% were working part time. Anecdotally, this
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Krista Fox et al.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Although maintaining engagement in activities has a positive influence on our health and wellbeing as we age, many programs that serve older adults struggle with getting participation in the programs they offer. This study sought to explore activity disengagement among older adults in a senior housing community and identify the challenges and opportunities for reengagement with the aim of informing future intervention development and testing. Fifty-one adults over the age of 60 participated in structured interviews. Findings highlighted that many older adults have activities patterns that are not optimal for health.Many reasons given for disengaging in activities (e.g., no opportunity) were surprising given that participants lived in a setting where a variety of programs were offered. Programs need to more purposively address social challenges to participating in activities and consider a more person-centered approach when developing interventions for the older adults they serve.
AB - Although maintaining engagement in activities has a positive influence on our health and wellbeing as we age, many programs that serve older adults struggle with getting participation in the programs they offer. This study sought to explore activity disengagement among older adults in a senior housing community and identify the challenges and opportunities for reengagement with the aim of informing future intervention development and testing. Fifty-one adults over the age of 60 participated in structured interviews. Findings highlighted that many older adults have activities patterns that are not optimal for health.Many reasons given for disengaging in activities (e.g., no opportunity) were surprising given that participants lived in a setting where a variety of programs were offered. Programs need to more purposively address social challenges to participating in activities and consider a more person-centered approach when developing interventions for the older adults they serve.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029369925&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1155/2017/1983414
DO - 10.1155/2017/1983414
M3 - Article
C2 - 29097960
AN - SCOPUS:85029369925
SN - 0966-7903
VL - 2017
JO - Occupational Therapy International
JF - Occupational Therapy International
M1 - 1983414
ER -