Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative study
Objective In recognition that engagement in physical activities for persons living with dementia can be challenging in rural and northern communities, the objective of this study was to explore the factors influencing physical activity participation among persons living with dementia in rural/northe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2022-06-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e060860.full |
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| author | Chelsea Pelletier Laura Elizabeth Middleton Shannon Freeman Kirsten Ward Lauren Bechard Kayla Regan Salima Somani |
| author_facet | Chelsea Pelletier Laura Elizabeth Middleton Shannon Freeman Kirsten Ward Lauren Bechard Kayla Regan Salima Somani |
| author_sort | Chelsea Pelletier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective In recognition that engagement in physical activities for persons living with dementia can be challenging in rural and northern communities, the objective of this study was to explore the factors influencing physical activity participation among persons living with dementia in rural/northern communities and to identify the locally-driven mitigation strategies participants used to address barriers to physical activity.Setting Interviews and focus groups were conducted in two locations in northern British Columbia, Canada including a rural community (<10 000 persons) and a medium-sized geographically isolated city (<80 000 persons). Both communities are located at substantial distances (>700 km) from larger urban centres.Participants Twenty-nine individuals participated including healthcare providers (n=8), community exercise professionals (n=12), persons living with dementia (n=4) and care partners (n=5).Results Rural and northern contextual factors including aspects of the built and natural environment were the main drivers of physical activity for persons living with dementia. Limited capacity in the health system to support physical activity due to a lack of referrals, poor communication mechanisms and limited resources for programming created challenges for physical activity participation. At the community level, local champions filled gaps in physical activity programming by leveraging informal networks to organise opportunities. Programme-level factors included a lack of consistency in staff, and challenges defining programme scope given limited population size and the fear of stigma for persons living with dementia.Conclusions Environmental context and limited access to specialised programming affect the opportunities for persons living with dementia to engage in physical activities. Rural and northern communities showed resiliency in providing physical activity opportunities yet remained fragile due to human resource challenges. Without reliable resources and sustained support from the health system, local champions remain vulnerable to burnout. Enhancing support for local champions may provide greater stability and support to physical activity promotion in rural and northern communities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-260d18511c64464681ca190835bca76d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-260d18511c64464681ca190835bca76d2025-01-28T07:00:11ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552022-06-0112610.1136/bmjopen-2022-060860Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative studyChelsea Pelletier0Laura Elizabeth Middleton1Shannon Freeman2Kirsten Ward3Lauren Bechard4Kayla Regan5Salima Somani6School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, CanadaDepartment of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaSchool of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, CanadaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, CanadaDepartment of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaSchool of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, CanadaObjective In recognition that engagement in physical activities for persons living with dementia can be challenging in rural and northern communities, the objective of this study was to explore the factors influencing physical activity participation among persons living with dementia in rural/northern communities and to identify the locally-driven mitigation strategies participants used to address barriers to physical activity.Setting Interviews and focus groups were conducted in two locations in northern British Columbia, Canada including a rural community (<10 000 persons) and a medium-sized geographically isolated city (<80 000 persons). Both communities are located at substantial distances (>700 km) from larger urban centres.Participants Twenty-nine individuals participated including healthcare providers (n=8), community exercise professionals (n=12), persons living with dementia (n=4) and care partners (n=5).Results Rural and northern contextual factors including aspects of the built and natural environment were the main drivers of physical activity for persons living with dementia. Limited capacity in the health system to support physical activity due to a lack of referrals, poor communication mechanisms and limited resources for programming created challenges for physical activity participation. At the community level, local champions filled gaps in physical activity programming by leveraging informal networks to organise opportunities. Programme-level factors included a lack of consistency in staff, and challenges defining programme scope given limited population size and the fear of stigma for persons living with dementia.Conclusions Environmental context and limited access to specialised programming affect the opportunities for persons living with dementia to engage in physical activities. Rural and northern communities showed resiliency in providing physical activity opportunities yet remained fragile due to human resource challenges. Without reliable resources and sustained support from the health system, local champions remain vulnerable to burnout. Enhancing support for local champions may provide greater stability and support to physical activity promotion in rural and northern communities.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e060860.full |
| spellingShingle | Chelsea Pelletier Laura Elizabeth Middleton Shannon Freeman Kirsten Ward Lauren Bechard Kayla Regan Salima Somani Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative study BMJ Open |
| title | Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in Canada: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | factors influencing participation in physical activity for persons living with dementia in rural and northern communities in canada a qualitative study |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e060860.full |
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