Enhancing active ageing in later life: Can community networks enhance elderly health behaviours? Insights from a bracketing qualitative method

Abstract

AbstractActive ageing has become a policy concept that serves as an important response to the positive outcome of health behaviours, productivity, security, and life course. The objective of this article is to explore how community networks can enhance elderly health behaviours for active ageing in later life. A bracketing qualitative method was used incorporating a snowball sampling of 20 participants in Northeast Thailand. Data were collected using in‐depth interviews and were audio‐recorded for verbatim transcription. Data were subject to phenomenological analysis (data‐gathering, data‐storing, and explication of the data). Bracketing qualitative findings demonstrated that community networks (strong network ties, relations, participation, support, interactions, and connections) tend to enhance elderly health behaviours (living arrangements, daily living activities, and self‐rated health). The article suggests that community networks may be an important element to enhance elderly health behaviours of active ageing in later life. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.