Qualitative Feedback From Assisted Living Residents On A Proposed Intervention To Reduce Sedentary Behavior

Abstract

Older adults in assisted living (AL) tend to be highly sedentary, which increases their risk of functional decline and frailty. Reducing sedentary behavior (SB) and replacing it with light physical activity (LPA) could have important implications for maintenance of functional abilities. The Active for Life intervention has been useful for promoting LPA in other populations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative study was to gather feedback from AL residents on a proposed exercise-specific self-efficacy enhancing intervention (Active for Life) designed to promote LPA and reduce SB. METHODS: We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews at four AL facilities with 20 residents ages 65-99 (mean age 83.1; 60% women). They were presented with the proposed intervention and were asked questions to inform the development and modification of the intervention. Data were analyzed with content analysis and thematic analysis approaches. RESULTS: Residents overall liked the planned intervention. Specific recommendations included short intervention sessions of one hour and scheduled in the morning. Many residents thought a 16-week intervention was too long. Most residents recommended framing the intervention message as increasing LPA rather than decreasing SB, because it sounded more positive. Sixteen of the residents interviewed said they would want to participate in the intervention, but they were unsure how many other residents would want to be more active. We identified broader themes, including concerns about how the intervention would work for residents with a wide range of abilities and concerns about safety. They suggested that exercises will need to be highly modifiable. CONCLUSION: AL residents provided useful feedback for refining the Active for Life intervention before feasibility and acceptability testing and most residents interviewed were interested in participating in this type of intervention.