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.

Citation

Stathi, A., Withall, J., Thompson, J. L., Davis, M. G., Gray, S., De Koning, J., …Fox, K. R. (2020). Feasibility trial evaluation of a peer volunteering active aging intervention: ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged). Gerontologist, 60(3), 571-582. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz003

• 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/