The influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on municipal meeting places arranging group exercise for older persons.
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Dinse D, Haak M, Nilsson M, Karlsson S, Olsson Möller U
Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 18 (1) 2235130 [2023-12-00; online 2023-07-27]
Many municipalities today, together with other stakeholders, offer group exercises for the older population via municipal meeting places, focusing on promoting good health. During the Covid-19 pandemic, these group exercises either continued in a modified form or ceased. The aim of this study was to explore involved stakeholders' experiences of group exercises for older persons arranged via municipal meeting places during the Covid-19 pandemic. Six online focus group interviews were conducted with 25 stakeholders, such as decision-makers and representatives from the non-profit sector, from seven municipalities in Sweden. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The collaboration around the group exercises was challenged due to affected communication and decision-making. The stakeholders described the importance of adapting and finding new ways to offer group exercise. Furthermore, the re-arranging of group exercises created concerns about the well-being of the older persons but also happiness with the older persons ability to act for their own well-being during the pandemic. This study highlights the importance of the municipalities exchanging experiences, making the older persons more involved in the decision-making process, enabling a person-centred encounter with the older persons when exercising in groups, and strengthening supportive environments by sharing the ownership of arranging the group exercises with the older persons.
Category: Social Science & Humanities
PubMed 37499132
DOI 10.1080/17482631.2023.2235130
Crossref 10.1080/17482631.2023.2235130