Background: Social day centres can support active and healthy ageing amongst older people. However, little is known regarding the importance of social day centres.
Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to explore how older people visiting social day centres perceive the day centres' social influence on their health and well-being.
Material and methods: Twenty older persons attending social day centres on a regular basis were interviewed regarding activities at the day centre and their importance for active and healthy ageing. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results: The social day centres were described as arenas to provide a structure (and something to do) in the visitor's everyday life. By attending a day centre, the participants created a social context with other visitors. Staff acted as facilitators for visitors, helping them to interact with other visitors and to experience the feeling of being needed by others.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that social day centres are important arenas for creating a sense of context and belongingness amongst older people.
Significance: This study provides knowledge on how doing and being contribute to healthy and active ageing.
Keywords: Active ageing; activities; elderly; healthy ageing; social belongingness.