Navigating Outdoor Activities During Heatwaves: Heat Resilience Insights from a Focus Group Study with Urban-Dwelling Older Adults in Sweden

Purpose Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing significant health risks for older adults. In Sweden, older adults have historically not needed to consider heat during outdoor activities, but rising temperatures make such considerations increasingly important. Urban environments with limited vegetation and high heat exposure exacerbate these risks and are restricting their participation in society. To promote Age-friendly Cities and Communities, more knowledge is needed about how heatwaves influence urban-dwelling older adults’ outdoor activities. Therefore, this study aimed to provide insight into how older adults reason about activities in urban outdoor environments during heatwaves. Methods Data were generated from three focus groups involving a total of 19 older adults and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Four themes were created: individual adaptations to outdoor activities; the significance of social networks; society’s responsibility to act on the challenges posed by heatwaves; and opportunities and barriers in the urban outdoor environment. Outdoor activities were influenced by factors at individual, group, and societal levels. These included personal habits, social networks, and environmental opportunities and barriers. Conclusions Heat resilience requires age-friendly urban planning and tailored preparedness strategies, grounded in a holistic understanding of older adults’ everyday lives. Supporting habit adaptation, identifying persons at risk of heat-related health impacts, and addressing high-risk environments are essential. Occupational therapists could assume an important preventive role that strengthens participation, autonomy, and resilience among older adults in a changing climate.