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Feasibility trial evaluation of a peer volunteering active aging intervention: ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged)

Stathi, Afroditi; Withall, Janet; Thompson, Janice L.; Davis, Mark G.; Gray, Selena; De Koning, Jolanthe; Parkhurst, Graham; Lloyd, Liz; Greaves, Colin; Laventure, Robert; Fox, Kenneth R.

Feasibility trial evaluation of a peer volunteering active aging intervention: ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged) Thumbnail


Authors

Afroditi Stathi

Janet Withall

Janice L. Thompson

Mark G. Davis

Jolanthe De Koning

Liz Lloyd

Colin Greaves

Robert Laventure

Kenneth R. Fox



Abstract

© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. BACKGROUND: ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged) is a theory-informed, pragmatic intervention using peer volunteering support to promote active ageing in socially disengaged, inactive older adults. This study aimed to establish ACE's feasibility and acceptability. METHODS: Fifty-four older adults were recruited as either peer volunteers (activators; n = 15) or participants (ACEs; n = 39). Participants were randomized to one-to-one support from an activator (ACEs-Intervention [ACEs-I]) or a waiting-list control group (ACEs-Control [ACEs-C]). Activators supported ACEs-I to get out more and engage with local activities. Objectively measured physical activity (PA), lower limb function, and number of out of house activities were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed changes in confidence to get out and about, social support, autonomy, competence, and relatedness. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of ACEs (mean age = 73.7 years [SD 7.3]) and all activators completed assessments at both baseline and post-intervention (6 months). ACEs-I reported more out of house activities (M [SD] = 6.34 [4.15]). ACEs-I increased physical function post-intervention (M [SD] = 9.8 [2.3]). ACEs-I reported improved well-being and vitality and increased confidence to get out and about, confidence in the face of specific barriers, knowledge of local initiatives, and perceived social support post-intervention. Activators, although sufficiently active at baseline, increased their PA further. ACE was well-accepted and easy to deliver. CONCLUSIONS: ACE is an acceptable and feasible intervention for helping socially disengaged older people to get out and about more, improve their confidence, and engage more with their community.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 12, 2018
Online Publication Date Feb 19, 2019
Publication Date Apr 2, 2020
Deposit Date Feb 21, 2019
Publicly Available Date Feb 21, 2019
Journal The Gerontologist
Print ISSN 0016-9013
Electronic ISSN 1758-5341
Publisher Oxford University Press (OUP)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 60
Issue 3
Article Number gnz003
Pages 571-582
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz003
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/852128
Publisher URL http://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz003
Additional Information Additional Information : https://mrc.ukri.org/research/initiatives/lifelong-health-wellbeing/people-projects/
Contract Date Feb 21, 2019

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