“I Didn’t Think I Needed It. But I Find I Look Forward to It Very Much”: Social Connectedness and Physical Health through the Eyes of Older Adults

Older adults are one of the least physically active populations and increasingly lonely. There is a growing body of literature that highlights that community-based programs are cost-effective to increase physical activity in the general population. However, little is known about community-based programs aimed to improve older adults’ physical activity and social connectedness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, physical activity interventions that also aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term physical activity participation. Thus, this study is part of a formative evaluation that will inform a larger scale out of community-driven physical activity and social connectedness programs for older adults in British Columbia, Canada. This article presents qualitative themes that shed light on the perceptions of thirteen older adults living in a rural context who participated in a community-driven health promotion program. The photovoice data reflect physical and social activity preferences and what facilitates/hinders participation. Social connectedness and its sub-themes intersect with themes: the natural environment, transportation, and physical and mental health. Findings offer insight for future physical activity and social connectedness programming and evaluation.