Older people feel happier, more confident and form new friendships when they go on group activities such as horse riding, river cruises, musicals and even riding a Harley Davidson, according to a new study of older adults.
Macquarie University researchers developed an innovative program involving 57 adults over the age of 65 who went on fortnightly group excursions in Perth, which also included skating and having dinner at a restaurant.
The researchers wanted to explore the benefits of the group excursions on participants' wellbeing.
Widespread loneliness
About a quarter of Australia's older adults are lonely and have significantly worse mental and physical health than people who are connected, according to data from the Australian Psychological Society. Most people need social engagement and interaction to have a sense of identity, belong to a community and live fulfilled lives.
As the number of older adults grows as a percentage of the total population, understanding how to address this is important to carers and health authorities.
Participants in the study were living independently and receiving community-based services for shopping, cleaning or gardening from either the government-subsidised Commonwealth Home Support Program or a Home Care Package.
If you're on your own you think, I won't do that or I'll do that tomorrow. Now I get quite excited. I think tomorrow we're going out and it gives me a lift.
- Participant
The research participants were give the opportunity to go on an average of one activity a fortnight, lasting from two hours to half a day.
"The benefits were largely related to social wellbeing," says Dr Joyce Siette, who led the study at Macquarie's Australian Institute of Health Innovation.
"They loved having the opportunity to socialise and make new friendships. It was amazing - some of the participants even started having sleepovers with their friends as relationships continued after the program."
Dad went ice-skating yesterday. Came home and he was just grinning from ear to ear - and this is someone who was highly depressive. So the behavioural changes are enormous.
- Paticipant's family member
To gauge the benefits of the excursions, Dr Siette's team used a standard international tool - the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit - to design their survey and interviews. Before they started, most participants (whose average age was 81) reported their quality of life as "moderate", but after the excursions everyone said they felt more confident and happier.
"I feel like my old self again," says Larry*, a participant who said he'd withdrawn "into a shell" for about 10 years and didn't go out. "Since the program started I'm more connected and I'm communicating regularly."
Care and community involvement
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2020 found that most Australians want to grow old and receive care in their own homes. They also wanted to participate in their communities for as long as possible, however some lacked the economic and social means to do so.
Even the anticipation of the excursion was positive for many participants. "If you're on your own you think, I won't do that or I'll do that tomorrow," says Dorothy*, another participant. "Now I get quite excited. I think tomorrow we're going out and it gives me a lift."
Dr Siette's team also interviewed carers, who reported significant improvements of their loved ones after the excursions. "Dad went ice-skating yesterday. Came home and he was just grinning from ear to ear - and this is someone who was highly depressive," said one carer.
Carers also appreciated the program because it gave them some respite.
Participants and carers agreed that the program succeeded because the activities happened in a group and they had a choice of excursions.
Also, the activities were convenient and accessible because participants were picked up and dropped home with staff tending to physical needs such as accompanying them to the toilet.
Dr Siette suggests future government initiatives for older people still living at home should focus on prioritizing initiatives that provide them opportunities for social connection with the wider community.
"Excursion, group-based activities that focus on building and bridging relationships can create a sense of belonging and inclusion, address social loneliness and improve older adults' physical, mental and social outcomes," she said.
This story was originally published on the Macquarie University Lighthouse