The Impact of Activity Interventions on the Well-Being of Older Adults in Continuing Care Communities

As the U.S. population ages, interventions are needed to ensure quality of life continues as boomers enter assisted and independent living communities (AICs). These transitions can significantly affect quality of life. Activity and continuity theories maintain that participation in discretionary/inf...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied gerontology 2014-10, Vol.33 (7), p.888-911
Main Authors: Winstead, Vicki, Yost, Elizabeth A., Cotten, Shelia R., Berkowsky, Ronald W., Anderson, William A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living - psychology
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alliance
Assisted Living Facilities
Clinical outcomes
Comparative analysis
Elderly
Female
Gerontology
Health Status
Humans
Independent Living
Intervention
Life Satisfaction
Loneliness - psychology
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Older people
Participation
Personal Satisfaction
Quality of Life
Quality of Life - psychology
Social Environment
Social Isolation
Social Isolation - psychology
United States
Well Being
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Summary:As the U.S. population ages, interventions are needed to ensure quality of life continues as boomers enter assisted and independent living communities (AICs). These transitions can significantly affect quality of life. Activity and continuity theories maintain that participation in discretionary/informal activities is crucial for psychosocial health and well-being (aspects of quality of life). This study evaluates the impacts of participation in discretionary activities on life satisfaction, social isolation, and loneliness, using data from a longitudinal study of older adults in AICs. Older adults who participated in 8 weeks of discretionary activities reported greater life satisfaction and lower levels of social isolation compared with non-participants. Forming alliances and group identities is the key for building new relationships and maintaining relationships in the community. Determining the impact participation in activities has on residents is vital to being able to help develop a more comprehensive understanding of how quality of life can be maintained in AICs.
ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/0733464814537701