Fun and a meaningful routine: the experience of physical activity in people with dementia

Elisabeth Wiken Telenius; Gro Gujord Tangen; Siren Eriksen; Anne Marie Mork Rokstad

doi:10.1186/s12877-022-03149-6

Fun and a meaningful routine: the experience of physical activity in people with dementia

BMC Geriatr. 2022 Jun 10;22(1):500. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03149-6.

Authors

Elisabeth Wiken Telenius^{1

2}, Gro Gujord Tangen^{3

4}, Siren Eriksen^{3

5}, Anne Marie Mork Rokstad^{3

6}

Affiliations

¹ The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, PO Box 2136, 3103, Tønsberg, Norway. elisabeth.w.telenius@aldringoghelse.no.
² Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway. elisabeth.w.telenius@aldringoghelse.no.
³ The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, PO Box 2136, 3103, Tønsberg, Norway.
⁴ Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
⁵ Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway.
⁶ Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care, Molde University College, Molde, Norway.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is important to health and wellbeing. People with dementia are less physically active than their cognitively healthy counterparts. Reasons for this are multifaceted, and are thought to be social, psychological, and physiological. People with dementia often use services such as home care, day care centres and nursing home, and according to the stage of disease they are less or more dependent on other people to take part in activities. To develop appropriate services to this patient group, their needs and preferences regarding physical activity must be recognized. The aim of the study was therefore to provide insight into experiences with physical activity in people with dementia.

Methods: The current study is part of a larger research project on needs in people with dementia. The main project included qualitative semi-structured interviews with 35 persons with dementia. 27 of the participants talked about their experience with physical activity. In the current study, the relevant findings on this theme were analysed separately. A phenomenological hermeneutic research design was applied.

Results: The analysis revealed three main categories regarding experiences with physical activity. To be physically active provided positive experiences such as feelings of mastering and post-exercise euphoria. To be physically active was meaningful. The daily walk was an important routine to many, and it gave meaningful content to the day. Keeping up with activities confirmed identity. Lastly, to be active was perceived as challenging. Participants described different barriers to being physically active such as a decline of physical function, lack of motivation and being dependent on others to go out.

Conclusions: Many of the participants expressed that being physically active was important to them. It is essential that informal and formal carers are aware of the role physical activity plays in the lives of many people with dementia, so that appropriate measures can be taken to assure continued active living in order to preserve health and quality of life.

Keywords: Dementia; Exercise; Experience; Interview; Need; Physical activity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Caregivers / psychology
Dementia* / psychology
Dementia* / therapy
Exercise
Humans
Nursing Homes
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life / psychology