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.

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