Exploring the Health and Wellbeing Needs of Older Adults and Evaluating a Hybrid Programme for Older Adults

Citation

Hong HJ, Kim S, Matheson C & Walker R (2024) Exploring the Health and Wellbeing Needs of Older Adults and Evaluating a Hybrid Programme for Older Adults. European Association for Sport Management 2024, Paris, France, 30.09.2024.

Abstract
Aim and Research Questions: The study aims to assess the health and wellbeing needs of U.K. older adults aged over 65 and explore the feasibility of establishing a university-affiliated community centre. This centre would offer a unique hybrid programme combining physical, technological, and social activities in an engaging and educational environment. Thus, the research questions are as follows: (1) What are the holistic health and wellbeing needs of older adults? (2) How do older adults perceive a hybrid programme potentially offered by a higher education institution? (3) How can the hybrid programme be improved to better support the health and wellbeing of older adults? Theoretical Background and Literature Review: Building upon the intersection of gerontology and digital innovation, our study seeks to promote healthy ageing by fostering engagement in social and physical activities. This endeavour is informed by a comprehensive review of social science research, which examines the nuances of ageing, the adoption and impact of technology, and the principles of effective community building among older populations (e.g., Cabbia et al., 2019; Fisk et al., 2020; Hennessy & Innes, 2020; Stafford et al., 2018). By synthesising insights from these areas, we aim to address the multifaceted needs of older adults. In response to the challenge of declining engagement in new activities among older adults, a phenomenon often attributed to cognitive ageing processes (Charness & Boot, 2009), our project proposes a hybrid programme that integrates physical, technological, and social activities, which will be assessed by the target population in the present study. This innovative approach leverages Virtual Reality (VR) technology, not only as a tool for immersive experience but also as a means to stimulate interest and participation in both familiar and novel activities. By incorporating VR, we intend to bridge the gap between traditional activity programmes and the digital era, thus offering a tailored solution that aligns with the evolving preferences and capabilities of the ageing population. Developed from literature reviews and consultations with sport practitioners experienced in designing physical activities for older adults, the hybrid programme seeks to connect older adults with digital technology and provide a model for improving their life quality through continued participation in social and physical activities. Aiming to establish a university-affiliated community centre offering the hybrid programme, it is crucial to highlight that universities have transformed from isolated ivory towers into dynamic centres that actively engage with the scientific world and society at large. Their standing is determined not just by their place in global rankings but also by their success in collaborating with stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels to address pressing issues in their surrounding communities (Müller-Christ et al., 2014). Research Design, Methodology and Data Analysis: We employ a feasibility study design to determine whether the proposed hybrid programme is appropriate for implementation through a university-affiliated community centre. This approach has been widely used in public health studies to test an intervention (Bowen et al., 2009). Twenty-four older adults, who are members of a sport centre at a higher education institution in the U.K., have been recruited. Utilising the World Café method (Löhr et al., 2020), we aim to understand their broader health and wellbeing needs and gather feedback on the hybrid programme through two discussion sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. The data collected during the World Café sessions, which include notes taken by research team members, audio recordings, and visual materials such as flip charts and post-it notes, will be analysed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2021). Results/Findings and Discussion: The anticipated outcomes of this research particularly include identifying the specific health and wellbeing needs of older adults in the U.K., which will inform the necessary modifications and enhancements to the hybrid programme. We also expect to discern insights on how higher education institutions can more effectively support the wellbeing of older adults, thereby contributing to improvements in community and public health. Please note that the data collection will be implemented by the end of June 2024. The research team is confident that we can present the results at the conference. Conclusion, Contribution, and Implication: The findings of this study will lay the groundwork for establishing a university-affiliated community centre, aiming to enhance the health and wellbeing of older adults in the U.K. through the proposed hybrid programme. By identifying specific needs and evaluating programme feasibility, our research will not only enrich academic understanding of gerontology and digital innovation but also provides practical insights for universities to support older adults more effectively. This approach highlights the potential of such centres to contribute to community health improvements and the evolving role of higher education institutions in societal wellbeing.

Keywords
higher education institution; hybrid programme; physical activity management; public health management; social inclusion; social isolation