JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

With increasing global life expectancy, promoting social, mental, and physical wellbeing among older adults is crucial. Loneliness and social isolation are common in this population and negatively affect health, functioning, and quality of life. Activity programs have been proposed as a strategy to encourage engagement, social interaction, and increase physical activity.

Objective:

In this mixed-method study we aimed to explore older adults’ experiences and perceptions of a weekly Activity Program in semi-rural areas of mid-Sweden.

Methods:

Participants from three semesters (fall 2022, spring 2023, fall 2023) completed five self-reported questionnaires assessing loneliness, happiness, distress, quality of life, and physical activity and took part in five focus group discussions. The Activity Program consisted of weekly two-hour sessions including health-related lectures, physical activities such as walking and dancing, and social interactions over coffee breaks.

Results:

Findings shows that the Activity Program positively influenced subjective wellbeing across multiple dimensions. Social benefits were emphasized, including formation of new relationships, continued interactions outside the program, and reinforcement of existing personal relationships. Participants reported improvements in mental wellbeing, describing feelings of upliftment, motivation, and inner drive, as well as opportunities to “take a break from loneliness.” Physical benefits included increased awareness of functional abilities, engagement in physical activity, and exposure to new activities. Challenges were noted in tailoring activities to the wide age and functional range of participants, while the group leader was identified as central to fostering engagement, motivation, and positive group dynamics. Questionnaire data showed minimal changes, highlighting the value of qualitative methods for capturing nuanced experiences not reflected in standardized instruments. Seasonal effects were noted to have possibly influenced physical activity reports.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, participation in a structured Activity Program can enhance social interaction, mental wellbeing, and physical engagement among older adults. Success depends on promoting social connections, offering appropriately tailored activities, and effective leadership. These insights give guidance the design and implementation of programs aiming to improve wellbeing in aging populations. Clinical Trial: This research has ethical approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2022--03516) and was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All study participants signed a written informed consent form prior to any study-related activities.