Perspectives of People with Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairment and Their Caregivers about Physical Activity and Exercise for Fall Prevention: A Qualitative Study

Normala Mesbah, Meredith Perry (), Leigh Hale, Keith D. Hill and Amanda Wilkinson
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Normala Mesbah: Physiotherapy Programme and Center for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
Meredith Perry: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR), School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Leigh Hale: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR), School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Keith D. Hill: Rehabilitation Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3199, Australia
Amanda Wilkinson: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR), School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Disabilities, 2023, vol. 3, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: Older adults with cognitive impairment are at high risk of experiencing falls. Although no specific fall prevention guidelines presently exist for this population, exercise programmes to prevent falls are recommended. Limited literature exploring what older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment think about or how they make sense of the need for such programmes exists. This study explored the perspectives of older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers about exercise and physical activity in the context of fall prevention. Underpinned by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine community-dwelling adults (>65 years) with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers ( N = 6). Three themes of acceptance, denial, and accommodation were identified. The fluctuating concept of ‘self’ appeared to influence individual decisions to exercise or be physically active and what sort of physical activity to undertake more than any practical barriers. We suggest that healthcare professionals emphasise the concept of personhood, listening to and reinforcing biographic narratives of older adults living with cognitive impairment to foster a sense of autonomy, and shared decision-making while emphasising fall prevention activities that older adults with cognitive impairment might like to engage with.

Keywords: cognitive impairment; older adults; falls prevention; physical activity; exercise; caregiver perceptions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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