What helps or hinders physical activity engagement for persons with dementia during Canadian Winters

What is this Study about?

The purpose of this study is to understand what supports and prevents people living with dementia from participating in physical activity during the winter months. Identifying what helps or hinders winter physical activity can help inform researchers to create exercise interventions that are seasonally appropriate to persons with dementia. It can also allow policy makers to target key areas of improvement, such as icy sidewalks, to better support winter physical activity.

What Will Happen in This Study?

Participants may enrol as an individual or as a pair. Pairs have the option to participate in these interviews with their partner or as an individual.

During this meeting, you will complete a brief demographic survey and a 30–60-minute semi-structured interview. During this interview, you will be asked questions like:

 o What are your thoughts and feelings about physical activity and the wintertime?

o What activities do you enjoy doing in the winter?

o What makes it challenging for you to be physically active during the winter?

o What helps/supports you to stay physically active during the winter?

Who is Eligible to Participate in this Study?

All participants must:

• Live in the community

• Be able to speak and understand English

• Be able to access and use Zoom using a computer or tablet

• Live in a region in Canada that regularly experiences snow or ice during the winter months.

 

Persons with dementia must:

• Be above the age of 55

• Be able to read and understand the consent process

• Be able to understand the nature of the interview

 

Care partners must:

• Identify as a primary family care partner for a person with dementia or mild cognitive impairment

• Not identify as someone living with dementia

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Everyone considering participating in any activity is encouraged to speak with their own doctor or health-care team before participating in any activity that may impact their health or well-being.