Older Adults’ Experiences of a Community‐Based Activity Program Aimed at Addressing Loneliness—A Focus Group Study
Anna Axén, Christine Kumlien, Christel Borg, Line Christiansen, Elin TaubeIntroduction
Loneliness among older adults is a public health concern, and a lack of social connections is associated with loneliness. Community engagement is associated with a decrease in loneliness, which underscores the importance of social activities. However, exploring how older adults experience such activities is needed. Group‐based activities may help address loneliness by increasing social interaction, but research on the outcomes of initiatives targeting loneliness from older adults’ perspectives remains limited. This study explored older adults’ experiences of a community‐based activity program aimed at addressing loneliness.
Methodology
Data generation consisted of semi‐structured focus group interviews with nine participants ranging from 66 to 81 years in age, four women and five men, who were interviewed twice. The first interviews occurred 3‐4 weeks after the activity program ended, and the second interviews took place 9–10 weeks after it ended. The analysis followed reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings
The findings were explored and reflected in one overarching theme, bridging loneliness through meaningful participation , with four subthemes: fulfilling social needs , discovering inner and outer resources , being able to contribute and influence , and sparking future engagement .
Conclusion
The findings of this exploratory study may provide valuable insights for initiatives addressing loneliness among older adults. The program fostered new social connections, encouraged participation in diverse activities, and underscored the role of older adults as valuable contributors. It enabled older adults to identify options that aligned with their interests by providing a variety of shared activities. Engaging older adults in shaping activity programs highlights the importance of collaborative approaches.