Exploring Neighbourhood-based Programming for Older Adults: A Seniors’ Satellite

ABSTRACT

Community-based programs for older adults are key health-promoting resources; however, barriers to participation exist, including transportation, cost, accessibility, and social in-groups. To address such barriers, a neighborhood-based Seniors’ Satellite program was implemented. We explored the benefits of participating in this program, and barriers and facilitators to participation, through a mixed methods program evaluation. The Satellite attracted older adults at risk of isolation and those more socially connected, from the local neighborhood and more distant areas. Findings suggest program participants valued the combination of social contact, exercise, and fun, in a local, friendly setting, and gained social and health benefits.

KEYWORDS:

• Neighborhood programming
• physical activity
• social connectedness

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the study participants who shared their perspectives during this study.

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund.