Loneliness and social isolation among older adults in a community exercise program: a qualitative study. (3rd June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hwang, Jiyoung; Wang, Lisa; Siever, Jodi; Medico, Talia Del; Jones, Charlotte A.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 23:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 736
• Page End: 742
• Publication Date: 2019-06-03
• Subjects: Loneliness -- social isolation -- community exercise program -- qualitative methods; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1450835
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Loneliness and social isolation (L&SI) are associated with physical and cognitive decline in older adults. Walk 'n' Talk for your Life (WTL) is a community-based program of socialization, health education, falls prevention exercise and walking for community-dwelling older adults. This qualitative study was done to gain further insight into the experience and impacts of the WTL on seniors' L&SI. Methods: One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen participants who had completed the WTL . Interview questions focused on eliciting a better understanding of how the WTL impacted participants' feelings of L&SI. Content analysis was used to classify the qualitative data . Results: This qualitative evaluation helped to obtain a richer understanding of WTL participants' reasons for loneliness and the benefits of the program on participants' experience of L&SI. Participants felt WTL helped motivate them to socialize and reduced their feelings of loneliness by providing a sense of 'belonging' which appeared to be mediated by the group exercise/walking component of the program. Discussion/Conclusions: This study provides insight into participants' experiences of L&SI. Further research in a broader population of older adults is mandated to determine the efficacy of community exercise programs in reducing L&SI.