Twelve Recommendations for Supporting Activity Engagement in Extra Care Housing

To describe leisure participation in adolescents with congenital heart defects (CHD) and identify factors associated with intensity of participation. Eighty adolescents with CHD were recruited (39 males, 41 females; mean age [SD] 15y 8mo [1y 8mo] range 11y 5mo-19y 11mo) of whom 78 completed the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) outcome measure of leisure participation. The measure has five subscales: recreational, active-physical, social, skill-based, and self-improvement. Associations between the CAPE and age, sex, and development were examined. Motor ability (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition), cognition (Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised), behavior (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and motivation (Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire) were assessed. Participants exhibited impaired motor (43.5%), behavioral (23.7%), and cognitive (29.9%) development. The most intense participation was in social (mean [SD] 3.3 [0.99]) and recreational (2.9 [0.80]) activity types on the CAPE. Male sex (p<0.05) and younger age were associated with greater physical activity (<15y: 1.87; ≥15y: 1.31, p<0.05). Greater engagement in social activities was related to better cognition (r=0.28, p<0.05), higher motor function (r=0.30-0.36, p<0.01), and fewer behavioral difficulties (r=-0.32 to -0.47, p<0.01). Cognitive ability (r=0.27, p<0.05), dexterity and aiming/catching (r=0.27-0.33, p<0.05), and behavior problems (r=0.38-0.49, p=0.001) were correlated with physical activity participation. Persistence in tasks, an aspect of motivation, correlated with physical (r=0.45, p<0.001) and social activity involvement (r=0.28, p<0.05). Ongoing developmental impairments in adolescents with CHD are associated with decreased active-physical and social engagement, putting them at risk of poor physical and mental health. Health promotion strategies should be considered. Adolescents with congenital heart defects (CHD) have limited engagement in active-physical leisure activities. Cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments are associated with decreased participation in leisure in children with CHD. Female sex and older age are associated with less engagement in leisure. Mastery motivation correlates with participation, suggesting an avenue for intervention.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the motivations and expectations that older people have when choosing to move into either a private or housing association (HA) extra care housing (ECH) scheme, and any effects this had on its residents.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study is based on findings from four HA schemes in Tower Hamlets, London, and one private scheme in Warwickshire. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women and three men of varying backgrounds, from schemes managed by different associations and companies. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed thematically.FindingsAll residents moved into ECH in response to deteriorating health. However, almost all residents had felt obliged to move by others, generally their children. Few residents had any expectations of ECH on arrival, but many developed high expectations of an increased sense of independence and security and of an improved social life. ECH appeared to be beneficial for residents’ health and well-being.Research limitations/implicationsThe inability to recruit an equal number of people from HA and private scheme, alongside the small sample size, may compromise the external validity of any conclusions drawn from any comparisons.Practical implicationsThis research identifies a lack of knowledge about ECH among the general population and offers insight into areas of poor management within ECH schemes which could be improved.Social implicationsInadequacies in the ECH model could be attributed to failures in the current health and social care system. Differences between expectations and perceptions of HA vs private schemes should be acknowledged and responded to.Originality/valueThis is a rare example of research exploring the relationships between ECH residents’ motivations and expectations (Hillcoat-Nallétamby and Sardani, 2019), and between those in HA vs private schemes.

Objective Participation in social activities often has beneficial effects on mental health among older adults, although the reasons why this is true (i.e., mechanisms or mediators) have received less empirical attention. The objective of this study is to examine whether involvement in social activities is associated with less psychological distress because it fosters social engagement. Method We explored this hypothesis with a sample of 1089 community dwelling Canadians ranging in age from 65 to 93 who completed a cross-sectional online survey that included measures of social participation (i.e., number of activities, time spent in them, and volunteerism), social engagement (i.e., the number of friends and family they see, feel close to, and can discuss personal matters with), and psychological distress. Results Mediation analyses confirmed our hypothesis that participation in social activities had beneficial effects on psychological distress through social engagement. That is, individuals who participated in greater numbers of social activities were more likely to report social engagement, and greater social engagement was associated with less psychological distress. In addition, when we controlled for the effect of social engagement, involvement in greater numbers of social activities was associated with greater distress. Conclusion Our findings suggest that social engagement is a reason why participation in social activities has benefits for older adults’ mental health, and that increasing engagement, both within and outside of typical social activities, is a worthwhile target for efforts to improve mental health among the growing older adult population.

Active social engagement has been shown to be associated with better health and health outcomes across a number of studies (Berkman and Syme 1979; House et al. 1982; Kaplan et al. 1988; Bygren et al. 1996; Glass et al. 1999; Bassuk et al. 1999; Wang et al. 2002; Mendes de Leon et al. 2003). However, the research studies over the last few decades have used different definitions and measures of social engagement, and the terminology used to define and measure social engagement has not been wholly consistent (Andersson 1998; Bennett 2002). Some studies on social engagement have considered social participation (Bygren et al. 1996; Glass et al. 1999), i.e. the involvement in actual activities which have a social element, other studies have examined social networks, i.e. the number of contacts with friends and relatives and membership of groups and organisations (Bowling and Browne 1991; Seeman et al. 1996; Unger et al. 1999), and yet others have focused on social support, i.e. the level of instrumental and emotional help available to an individual (e.g. Everard et al. 2000). Although the distinction between these different types of social engagement is apparent in the literature, there are clear overlaps between these types of social engagement across studies (e.g. Everard et al. 2000). For example, while attending church services is an activity which often has a social element, it can also stimulate contact with close friends. The overlap is also reflected in studies which have examined two or more of these types of engagement in combination—for example, Mendes de Leon et al. (2003) examined the effects of both participation in social activity and social networks on disability. In this special section on social engagement in older people, the studies focus on social participation, and in this Introduction we review research which has examined the relationship between this aspect of social engagement and health. While this review includes studies which have examined social participation and the other types of social engagement, it excludes those studies focusing only on social networks and/or social support, without reference to actual participation in social activities. The research to date has considered social engagement in relation to an increasingly varied series of health outcome measures, including mortality (Berkman and Syme 1979; House et al. 1982; Kaplan et al. 1988; Bygren et al. 1996; Glass et al. 1999), disability (Mendes de Leon et al. 2003), cognitive functioning (Aartsen et al. 2002), cognitive decline (Bassuk et al. 1999) and the risk of dementia (Fratiglioni et al. 2000; Wang et al. 2002). This special section reports new research concerning the relationship between social participation and physical health. Likewise, in this review we concentrate on research which has examined the impact of social participation on physical health outcomes.

The article analyses political, cultural and social participation of adults with epilepsy. Research goal: to assess peculiarities of participation and its factors among adults with epilepsy. This article is based on the findings of the survey of 220 adults with epilepsy aged 18- 85 years old. Secondary data analysis of departmental (state) statistics is also applied in the article, which enables to compare the participation trends of the people with epilepsy to Lithuanian population participation in political, social and cultural activities. The research results reveal that every fourth respondent tends to be politically inactive and only every tenth respondent tends to be very politically active. More than 80 percent of adults with epilepsy do not participate in social activities (the extent to which people with epilepsy participate in formal and informal organizations is an indicator of social participation in our study). The survey demonstrates low participation rates in cultural activities, especially in those requiring financial expenditures, e.g. ballet, concert, cinema or theatre. The research results disclose low participation rates in social and cultural activities of adults with epilepsy though political participation rate is higher. Personal choice or lack of interest is a major cause of their inactivity in political, social and cultural activities. Almost every second of the political inactive adult with epilepsy is apolitical. Most of people with epilepsy who are not involved in activities of nonprofit organizations do not want to belong to any organization. The data analysis makes it possible to conclude that the disease factors (characteristics of epilepsy) do not affect political, social or cultural participation strongly. Only comorbid medical conditions impact significantly on lower social participation of people with epilepsy. The results of the research show that the impact of personal factors such as age and education on the political, social and cultural participation among people with epilepsy is strong. Stigma of epilepsy and emotional state of people with epilepsy also appear to be significant factors restricting successful participation in political, social and cultural activities too.

Active participation in social activities contributes to increased social engagement and may have a positive impact on cognitive health in later life. Despite the well-documented association between social activity and cognitive function, the potential moderating role of social activity in age-related cognitive decline has not been well understood. In this cross-sectional study, we used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative dataset of U.S. adults aged 50 and above (n=9,919), to examine the hypothesis that social activity participation moderates the relationship between age and cognition. Cognition was assessed by using a 27-point cognitive functioning. Social activity participation was measured by a validated 10-point scale, which measures self-reported activity participation. We estimated multivariable linear regression models in which cognitive functioning was regressed on age, and social activity participation while controlling for individual characteristics and potential confounders. We used the Hayes conditional process analysis and Johnson-Neyman plot to test the hypothesized relationships. The average age of the study sample was 67 years (SD=10.27), 59.5% were female, and 66.1% were non-Hispanic White. As expected, age was negatively associated with cognition (β = -0.924; p &amp;lt;.001), and social activity participation was positively associated with cognition (β = 0.122; p &amp;lt;.001). The interaction between age and social activity participation was statistically significant (β = 0.0409; p = 0.005), indicating a significant moderating relationship. These findings suggest that social engagement may be a protective factor. Future studies should examine whether the findings can be replicated in a longitudinal study.

Objective : We aim to explore the impact of social participation activities on the relationship between depression and age perception in the elderly.&#x0D; Methods : This study used data from the 2020 Survey on the Status of the Elderly, and a total of 10,097 people responded to the survey by sampling the survey districts and the number of households. The dependent variable was the perception of the elderly's age, the independent variable was the depression score, and the control variable was social participation. Statistical analysis was performed through regression analysis. Considering that the independent variable in this study was a continuous variable and the control variable was a categorical variable, an interaction term was entered into the regression equation for analysis. &#x0D; Results : As a result of the analysis, social activity participation and depression were statistically significant (F(3, 10093)=1308.39, p&lt;.001), and the explanatory power of the model was approximately 28% (adjusted R²=0.28). When the interaction term was added, the explanatory power increased by 0.5%, and the increase in explanatory power was statistically significant (F(2,10094)=1914.99, p&lt;.001). In addition, the effect of participation in social activities lowers the perception of the elderly's age. The more depressed one is, the higher the perception of the elderly's age, but participation in social activities has a positive effect on lowering the perception of the elderly's age (b=-0.14). &#x0D; Conclusion : Participation in social activities plays an important role in lowering depression and age awareness among the elderly and strengthening the positive social self of the elderly. Based on the research results, this study needs to emphasize the importance of policies and programs that encourage and support participation in social activities in old age, and support positive age perception among older people at the personal and social levels. It is expected that these results can be used as basic data to emphasize the importance of social activity participation projects for the elderly and to change the age standards for the elderly.

Racial inequalities in dementia have been linked to disparities in socioeconomic status, chronic diseases, and psychosocial stress. Less focus has been given to psychosocial protective factors. Previous studies suggest that social engagement promotes better cognitive aging, but few have examined whether social engagement or its associations with cognition vary across non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and Blacks (NHB). Participants included 465 adults (53% NHB) from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (Mage = 63.59 ± 3.15) who completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Social engagement was operationalized as network size, frequency of social activity participation, and social support. Cognition was operationalized using factor scores corresponding to five domains: episodic memory, executive functioning, processing speed, language, and visuospatial functioning. Cross-sectional associations between social engagement and cognitive outcomes were examined using race-stratified regressions controlling for age, sex/gender, education, wealth, marital status, depressive symptoms, and chronic diseases. There were no racial differences in social network size or social support. NHB participants reported less social activity participation than NHW participants. Social activity participation was positively associated with memory in NHW, but not NHB. These findings may suggest a threshold effect whereby NHB older adults are less likely to participate in social activities at the level needed to yield cognitive benefits. Lower social activity participation among NHB may reflect structural barriers and/or cultural differences in patterns of social engagement. This study highlights the need to improve measurement of and access to culturally relevant social activities for NHB to combat racial inequalities in cognitive aging. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Empirically-based theories on successful aging have emphasized the multidimensional nature of aging well, including physical health and functioning, cognitive and emotional well-being, and social connectedness and engagement (e.g., Rowe & Kahn, 1987, Depp & Jeste, 2006). Yet, the field is still continuing to discover, deeply characterize, and better understand the biopsychosocial mechanisms through which varying social, physical, or cognitive activities may influence unique domains of successful aging. The current symposium builds on this growing body of research by addressing factors supporting successful aging across multiple dimensions of well-being and among a diversity of samples ranging from urban to rural, West Coast to Midwest, and community populations to professional athletes. Webster and Antonucci examine the links between social engagement and successful aging among affordable senior housing residents. They found that more frequent participation in social activities was associated with increases in life satisfaction over time. Toyama and Fuller examine how social engagement and health affect aging well, finding that older adults’ subjective health plays a more important role than objective health in maintaining social integration over time. Similarly, Turner describes the role of social networks and religiosity for health outcomes among aging NFL athletes. Finally, Casaletto and colleagues examined mechanisms underlying cognitive wellness as an aspect of successful aging. They found that engagement in both physical and cognitive activities independently support brain health and cognitive reserve in late-life. Taken together, these presentations provide a diverse and broad perspective on how varying factors influence the multiple dimensions of successful aging.

Apathy predicts functional and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. However, the behavioral correlates of apathy, which could promote cognitive decline have not been described. Our objective was to investigate the associations of apathy with leisure and social engagement. N = 538 older adults enrolled in the Central Control of Mobility in Aging study. We used the GDS3A, a 3-item subscale of the Geriatric Depression Scale, to define apathy and the frequency of participation in cognitive, physical, and social leisure activities. Linear regression models were conducted to assess the association between apathy and its behavioral correlates: social engagement and leisure activity participation. Covariates included age, gender, education level, multimorbidity, and dysphoria. Apathy was present in 29.7% of participants and was significantly associated with less frequent participation in physical activity days per week (-1.688. p = 0.003) but not cognitive (-1.094, p = 0.252) or social (-0.654, p = 0.103) leisure activities. Apathy was also associated with a decreased social behavior composite score (-0.055, p < 0.001), Social Network Index (-0.478, p = 0.003), and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support scores (-0.26, p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that apathy presents with reduced participation in physical leisure activities and reduced social engagement, which may provide a way for clinicians and caregivers to identify apathy in the future.

Background: The world is experiencing widespread population ageing with the proportion of people aged 60 years and over growing faster than any other age group (WHO, 2002). This demographic trend creates significant social and economic challenges to policy makers and has resulted in research imperatives to keep older adults independent in the community for as long as possible. Ageing is associated with cognitive disorders and neurodegenerative conditions (Keller, 2006; Bishop, Lu & Yankner, 2010). However, there is significant heterogeneity in this process, with different individuals experiencing varying degrees of age related declines (Christensen et al., 1999; Salthouse, 2004). This has resulted in research efforts to uncover modifiable factors that may attenuate cognitive and emotional decline and promote the successful ageing of older adults. The concept of activity underpinning successful ageing pervades current frameworks and models of health and wellbeing (WHO, 2002; Rowe & Kahn, 1997). Activity participation is central to the enhancement of functioning, health and the protection of disability as individual’s age and forms the basis for the current research. Study Aims: The primary aim of this study is to explore the relationship between activity types (i.e. cognitive, physical and social activity) and emotional and cognitive functioning in a large community based sample of women. A secondary aim is to investigate the relationship between age, education and perceived health on activity levels and cognitive and emotional functioning within this sample. Method: The participants were 357 randomly selected community dwelling women aged 40 to 79 years who participated in the Longitudinal Study of Women (LAW) at the Betty Byrne Henderson Women’s Health Research Centre within the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Australia. Participants completed self-report questionnaires and underwent a detailed neuropsychological assessment of their executive functioning and memory. Results: Participation in cognitive activities predicted better cognitive functioning but physical and social activities did not significantly predict improved cognitive functioning after taking into account an individual’s participation in cognitive activities. Greater participation in social and physical activities were related to lower levels of depression but were unrelated to levels of anxiety. While participation in cognitive activities did not uniquely predict emotional functioning after taking into account an individual’s participation in social and physical activities. The findings also revealed that as people aged their participation in cognitive and physical activities declined, while their participation in social activities remained the same. Higher education levels were related to increased participation in cognitive and physical activities but not social activity. Better perceived health status was related to higher participation in social and physical activity but not cognitive activities. Conclusion: Different types of activities had varying relationships with cognitive and emotional functioning. The clinical implications of these results is that public health programs designed to optimise the wellbeing and successful ageing of adults should potentially advocate not only activity participation but stress the need for a repertoire of cognitive, social and physical activities to maximise the differential benefits that participation appears to exert on cognitive and emotional health. The findings also highlight risk factors for inactivity such as increasing age, lower perceived health and lower education levels. This will be particularly pertinent for cognitive and physical activities which are associated with declining participation rates as people age.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural relationship model of age-friendly environment, participation in social activities and self-rated health for elderly generations.<BR> Method: To achieve the goal of this study, a total 269 surveys collected from elderly generations were utilized for analyzing. Frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis and structural equating modeling were conducted using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0.<BR> Results: Main findings are as follows: First, age-friendly environment had a positive effect on participation in social activities. Second, age-friendly environment had a positive effect on self-rated health. Third, participation in social activities had a positive effect on self-rated health. Finally, participation in social activities mediated the relationship between age-friendly environment and self-rated health.<BR> Conclusion: In order to promote the health of the elderly, the community needs multilateral support for the creation of an aged-friendly environment and active participation in social participation activities.

BackgroundTo date, the social participation of breast cancer survivors has mainly been studied in terms of their return to work, while long-term studies on participation in social activities are rare. Against this backdrop, we analyze the influence of socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors on breast cancer survivors’ social activities on average five years following first surgery. Furthermore, we identify social subgroups that are most affected by low levels of social activities, taking long-term breast cancer-related complaints into account.MethodsThe study population is based on a multicenter longitudinal study on return to work after breast cancer. We used data of a third follow-up study with n = 372 breast cancer survivors, corresponding to a response rate of 81.9% with regard to the first sample. Participation in social activities comprises the dimensions of ‘sociocultural participation’, ‘social participation in institutions’ and ‘social participation in the private sphere’. Logistic regression analyses and CHAID decision tree analyses were applied to analyze the influence of socioeconomic factors (school education, income and occupational position), sociodemographic factors (age, marital status, labor force participation and migration status) and the number of cancer-related complaints on social participation.ResultsFive years after the primary surgery, younger survivors (≤ 61 years) with a high number of breast cancer-related complaints showed the greatest limitations in ‘social participation in the private sphere’. Marital status, labor force participation and migration status were of less importance in all the dimensions of social participation considered. By contrast, all socioeconomic factors proved to be significantly associated with sociocultural participation. In particular, women with a low household income with more than two breast cancer-related complaints were identified as a vulnerable group in terms of low sociocultural participation.ConclusionsWe found evidence of social inequalities in participation in social activities among breast cancer survivors. Our results indicate that a comprehensive assessment of social participation and early intervention are required to prevent long-term limitations in social activities, especially in socially disadvantaged breast cancer survivors.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-025-15297-0.

The current study examined the predictive roles of social participation for subjective well-being among Chinese retirees. The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale and the self-developed Social Participation Questionnaire were employed to assess subjective well-being and social participation, respectively. Social participation included four aspects: frequency of social activities, roles in social activities, working state, and participation in activities of former employing units (these activities often include all kinds of parties for festivals, meetings and recreations arranged by former employing units). Ultimately, 22,019 city retirees ranging in age from 50 to 99 (M = 69.7, SD = 8.1) completed the questionnaires. Results indicated that retirees tend to report positive subjective well-being; the effects of social participation, excluding work state, on subjective well-being were significant. That is, individuals with more frequent participation in social activities, more active roles in social activities, and more frequent participation in activities of former employing units reported higher subjective well-being, even when controlling for the roles of physical health, income, and other socio-demographic variables. Physical health and income were two robust factors in predicting subjective well-being in analysis models. The effects of other socio-demographic variables were also analyzed. The current study provides further empirical support for the role of social participation in quality of life of the elderly.

Objective: Participation restrictions are serious problems that stroke survivors experience while reintegrating into family, work, community, and social situations after participating in rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors affecting participation in activities of daily living (ADL), as well as social and leisure activities of individuals with hemiparetic stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The study involved 96 participants who were diagnosed with a first stroke 6 months before the study (58 men, 38 women; 60.3±14.3 years). The Berg Balance Scale, Modified Barthel Index, Manual Function test, and Activity Card Sort were used to assess static and dynamic balance function, upper limb function, level of independence, and their level of participation within the community. A regression analysis was used to identify the influence of factors affecting participation in ADL, social and recreational activities. Results: The Activity Card Sort scores were significantly affected by the Manual Function test and Modified Barthel Index scores (p<0.05). Participation in leisure activities was affected by the level of independence. Participation in social activities was affected by the balance function and level of independence of the participants. Conclusions: The results of this study have shown that participation restrictions are affected by upper limb function, balance function, and the level of independence in individuals with hemiparetic stroke.