Goal-setting to Promote a Healthier Lifestyle in Later Life: Qualitative Evaluation of the AgeWell Trial

Figures & data

Table 1. AgeWell interview protocol.

Control Group
Did the experience of being in the study encourage you to reflect on your own behavior and experiences? Has it influenced/changed the way they feel about things?
Did you ever talk about being in the study with anyone? Who? In what context?
Has the process made you more aware of ageing or changes as we get older? How?
Have you noticed any changes in yourself since last year?
What do you put these changes down to?
Has taking part in the project altered the things you choose to do/activities/diet etc.?
If you had the choice of which group to participate in—which would you have chosen and why?
What was best thing about the research? Any unexpected benefits?
Has anyone else benefited?
What was your least favourite thing about the research?
Is there anything you would change about the research?
Goal-Setting
What difference has it made being part of the research? What did it mean to you?
Did the experience of being in the study encourage you to reflect on your own behavior and experiences? How has it influenced/changed the way they feel about things?
Did you ever talk about being in the study with anyone? Who? In what context?
Has the process made you more aware of ageing or changes as we get older? How?
Have you noticed any changes in yourself since last year?
What do you put these changes down to?
Has taking part in the project altered the things you choose to do/activities/diet etc.?
If you had the choice of which group to participate in—which would you have chosen and why?
How easy was it to set goals?
If asked to choose goals now would they differ from what they chose a year ago?
Would the addition of mentoring have helped you to make change? Explain how?
What was best thing about the research? Any unexpected benefits?
Has anyone else benefited?
What was your least favourite thing about the research?
What things would you change about the research?
Goal-Setting with Mentoring Group
What difference has it made being part of the research? What did it mean to you?
Did the experience of being in the study encourage you to reflect on your own behavior and experiences? How has it influenced/changed the way they feel about things?
Did you ever talk about being in the study with anyone? Who? In what context?
Has the process made you more aware of ageing or changes as we get older? How?
Have you noticed any changes in you since last year?
What do you put these changes down to?
Has taking part in the project altered the things you choose to do/activities/diet etc.?
If you had the choice of which group to participate in—which would you have chosen and why?
How easy was it to set goals?
If asked to choose goals now would they differ from what they chose a year ago?
What was your experience of the mentoring? Timing, frequency
Did mentoring help you to make change? Explain how?
What was best thing about the research? Any unexpected benefits? Has anyone else benefited?
What was your least favourite thing about the research?
What things would you change about the research?

Table 2. Goal identification by domain and category on entry to the trial.

Goal Domain	Goals (n) (Percentage of Total Goals)	Category and Sample Goals
Physical	50	Increase Physical Activity
	(36.5%)	I will attend at least one hour of exercise class per week.
		I will spend half an hour, 3 times a week doing exercise in the home
		Start New Physical Activity
		I will start swimming and go once a week.
		I will find an exercise class that I enjoy and will attend once a week.
		Achieve One Main Outcome
		In 12 months’ time I will have walked up a mountain.
		In 12 months’ time I will be attending a weekly exercise class
Dietary/health	40	Reduce Intake
	(29.2%)	I will reduce weekly butter intake by half.
		I will reduce my portion size by using a smaller plate for my evening meal. Eat More Healthily
		I will eat a salad for lunch with fruit in it twice a week.
		I will replace crisps and biscuits in my diet for healthier options such as fruit, nuts and crispbreads.
		Lower cholesterol
		In 12 months’ time I will have lowered my cholesterol by 2 points by using cholesterol lowering spread and yoghurt drinks.
Cognitive	24	Learning New Skills
	(17.5%)	In 12 months’ time I will be able to find an item for sale on the internet and buy it without help.
		I will learn to play a game on the computer, and play it twice a week.
		Improving Memory
		In 12 months’ time I will be able to name all the people in the line dancing class.
		Reducing Stress
		In 12 months’ time I will be meditating on a regular basis.
		In 12 months’ time I will be having one full day of relaxation each week.
		Tackling Difficult Tasks
		In 12 months’ time I will have read an historical novel.
		Maintaining Status Quo
		In 12 months’ time my cognitive levels will be the same as today.
Cognitive/Physical	23	Learn New Skills
	(2.2%)	In 12 months’ time I will be able to do a quickstep.
		Make Improvements
		In 12 months’ time I will be better at Tai Chi.
Cognitive/Social	6	Increase Independence
	(4.4%)	I will travel to France on my own.
		I will go on holidays.
		Increase Confidence
		I will have gained more confidence by putting myself in situations outside of my comfort zone
Social	7	Get Out More
	(5.1%)	In 12 months’ time I will have been to the cinema or theatre 4 times.
		In 12 months’ time I will have been to see a show in a theatre.
		Start New Social Activity
		I will join the choir.
		I will join an activity class and attend regularly.
Mixed physical	3	Maintain Status Quo
and diet & health	(2.2%)	To score the same on the physical and psychological tests this time next year.
Other	3	Planning Ahead
	(2.2%)	In 12 months’ time I will have made arrangements for after my death.
		Financial
		I will save up and buy a replacement wedding ring.