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Physical Activity and Social Interaction among Rural Older Adults in Saskatchewan during COVID-19

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2023

Laurie Schmidt Open the ORCID record for Laurie Schmidt [Opens in a new window] ,
Shanthi Johnson ,
M. Rebecca Genoe ,
Bonnie Jeffery  and
Jennifer Crawford
Laurie Schmidt*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
Shanthi Johnson
Affiliation:
Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
M. Rebecca Genoe
Affiliation:
Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
Bonnie Jeffery
Affiliation:
Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, Prince Albert Campus, Prince Albert, SK, Canada
Jennifer Crawford
Affiliation:
Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Waypoint Research Institute, Penetanguishene, ON, Canada
*
Corresponding author: La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à : / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Laurie Schmidt, Ph.D. Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK S4S 0A2 Canada (laurie.schmidt@uregina.ca)
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Abstract

Physical activity and social interaction among rural older adults are important, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when restrictions on physical gatherings were placed. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of rural older adults’ experience with physical activity and social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. An interpretative phenomenological approach was used to explore the experience of 10 older adults, 67–82 years of age, from rural communities throughout Saskatchewan. Findings revealed that many rural older adults acknowledged the health benefits of physical and social activities and experienced loneliness when COVID-19 restrictions were placed, even when living with a partner. For some, the restrictions placed on physical and social activity provided a welcome break from daily responsibilities. Rural communities, often at a disadvantage, were also perceived by participants as being protected against COVID-19. The resilience demonstrated among rural participants to persevere and adapt to their changing environment during the pandemic was evident in the findings.

Résumé

Résumé

L’activité physique et l’interaction sociale chez les personnes âgées qui vivent en milieu rural sont des enjeux importants, et l’ont été en particulier pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 alors que des restrictions ont été imposées sur les rassemblements en personne. L’objectif de cette étude qualitative était de mieux comprendre le vécu des personnes âgées établies en milieu rural sur le plan de l’activité physique et de l’interaction sociale pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Une approche phénoménologique interprétative a été utilisée pour explorer ce vécu chez dix personnes âgées de 67 à 82 ans, établies dans des communautés rurales de la Saskatchewan. Les résultats ont révélé que de nombreuses personnes âgées vivant en milieu rural reconnaissaient les bienfaits pour la santé des activités physiques et sociales, et avaient ressenti de la solitude lorsque les restrictions liées à la COVID-19 avaient été imposées, même si ces personnes vivaient avec un partenaire. Pour certains participants à l’étude, les restrictions imposées aux activités physiques et sociales avaient constitué une pause bienvenue dans les responsabilités quotidiennes. Les participants ont également perçu les communautés rurales, souvent désavantagées, comme constituant un facteur de protection contre la COVID-19. Les conclusions de l’étude mettent en évidence la résilience dont ont fait preuve les participants ruraux pour persévérer et s’adapter aux changements à leur environnement pendant la pandémie.

Keywords

agingolder adultsphenomenologyphysical activityruralsocial interactionsocial ecological modelvieillissementpersonnes âgéesphénoménologieactivité physiqueruralinteraction socialemodèle socio-écologique
Type
Article
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 42 , Issue 3 , September 2023 , pp. 375 - 385
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Copyright
© Canadian Association on Gerontology 2023

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