Direct and indirect relationships between physical activity and happiness levels among older adults: a cross-sectional study

Effects of immersive virtual reality training on balance, gait and mobility in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether immersive virtual reality (VR) can improve balance, gait, mobility and fear of falling in older people.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest Central (Engineering and Computer Science) and reference lists of included articles.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomised controlled trials that administered immersive VR training and assessed balance, gait and mobility outcomes in older adults without neurological disorders (mean age ≥ 65). Primary outcomes were standing balance (e.g. postural sway), multi-item balance scales (e.g. Berg Balance Scale), gait (e.g. gait speed) and mobility (e.g. Timed Up and Go test). Secondary outcomes comprised measures of enjoyment, fear of falling, adherence (e.g. dropout rate), feasibility/usability and adverse effects (e.g. motion sickness).

RESULTS

Meta-analyses showed that immersive VR training significantly improved standing balance (SMD: 0.51, 95% CI: .15, 0.86, p = 0.005, I2 = 28% - 3 studies, n = 79) and performance on the Berg Balance Scale (MD: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.56, p=0.0001, I2=0% - 4 studies, n = 190). No significant improvement in gait, mobility or fear of falling was found. Subgroup analyses revealed higher training doses (≥4.5 total hours) and VR interventions using non-head mounted displays were more likely to improve standing balance. No meta-analyses were conducted for enjoyment, adherence, feasibility/usability and adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate immersive VR has beneficial effects on balance, but not gait, mobility or fear of falling. Further research is required to examine these outcomes in trials that also include quantitative measurements of enjoyment, adherence, clinical feasibility, usability and adverse effects.

Factors associated with happiness among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with self-reported happiness among community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Searches were conducted in the PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus and Pubmed databases for relevant articles published in English, Spanish or Portuguese using the following search strategy and Boolean operators: (happiness*) AND (elder* OR (old adult*)). No restriction was imposed with regards to year of publication. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018107302).

RESULTS

Forty-six articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Economic, social and health-related factors were associated with happiness among community-dwelling older adults. The sociodemographic characteristics of older adults, such as the female sex, being married, an older age, a higher level of schooling and having a religion, were also associated with happiness.

CONCLUSIONS

The articles included in the present systematic review demonstrate that social, economic and health-related aspects have an association with happiness in community-dwelling older adults.

Sleep and Happiness in Urban-Dwelling Older Adults in Ghana: A Serial Multiple Mediation Model of Generalized Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Sleep problems (SP) are highly prevalent and seriously affect health and well-being in old age. The aim of this study was to examine the association between SP and happiness in an urban-dwelling older sample. The authors further explore the effects of generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms in the SP-happiness link using serial mediating modeling.

METHODS

Data came from the 2016 to 2018 Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study in Ghana (n = 661). The authors measured happiness with the cross-culturally validated item on a five-point scale. The GAD-7 and the CESD-8, respectively, assessed generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms. Participants reported nighttime and daytime SP in the last 30 days. The SPSS-based Hayes' PROCESS macro program (Model 6) was constructed to quantify the hypothesized mediation effect.

RESULTS

The analysis included 661 adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years (mean age = 65.53 [SD] = 11.89 years; 65.20% women). After full adjustment, path models showed that SP was negatively associated with happiness (β = -0.1277, 95%CI = -0.15950 to -0.096). Bootstrapping estimates revealed that the SP-happiness link was serially mediated via generalized anxiety representing 8.77%, depressive symptoms yielding 18.95%, and anxiety symptoms→depressive symptoms accounting for 26.70% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION

Generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms may explain the negative association between SP and happiness in urban-dwelling older adults in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) context. Interventions, social and clinical, to improve happiness through sleep quality should include ways to improve mental health. Longitudinal and cross-cultural data are warranted to assess the bi-directionality of this relationship.

"Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been": a path analysis of the associations between happiness and health, sleep, physical activities for older people in Abu Dhabi

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to identify the associations of happiness and factors related to physical and mental health, leisure, and sports activities amongst older adults in Abu Dhabi. The sample comprised 1,004 participants in the third Abu Dhabi Quality of Life survey administered in 2019-2020.

METHODS

The analysis used path analysis to develop a model incorporating the specified variables. The path model highlighted all direct and indirect associations between the variables. We also used variance analysis to test the differences in gender, marital status, and education attainment with happiness.

RESULTS

Results show that sleep quality is most associated with happiness and subjective health. In addition, sleeping hours did not show any association with subjective health; but were associated with happiness. The result also confirms that mental health is negatively associated with happiness and subjective health. How often an elderly gets involved in sport and activities for at least 30 min significantly affects subjective health and happiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Happiness of older adults is best understood when we look at both direct and indirect effects using a path model. Their happiness is significantly associated with their subjective health, mental health, participation in sport and activities and sleep quality, Implications of the study were highlighted, along with future research directions.

Happiness of Older Adults in Haemodialysis: Findings from a Comparative Study

Happiness is related to longevity and better health; nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about the construct, understood as subjective well-being (SWB), of older adults undergoing hemodialysis. This cross-sectional study investigated the extent to which hemodialysis treatment affects the SWB of older adults, compared to non-dialysis older adults. Regarding this, a total of 126 participants have interviewed: all the older adults in the hemodialysis service, 42 patients, from a city in Brazil, and 84 older adults from the Community, age- and gender-matched, predominantly men (64.3%), aged between 60 and 81 years. Participants respond to pattern questionnaires about SWB (life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect), depressive symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics, and physical health status. Analysis of variance presented in hemodialysis had no effect on SWB and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, participants in the hemodialysis had fewer years of schooling, and those in the community presented more diseases. The high number of illnesses and low educational level demonstrate effects on SWB, as well the length of hemodialysis is negatively associated with SWB. Therefore, hemodialysis by itself does not make older adults unhappier and depressive, but some variables depending on the socioeconomical status and length of treatment are associated with depression and worst SWB.

Health, Hope, and Harmony: A Systematic Review of the Determinants of Happiness across Cultures and Countries

The aim of this study was to review the literature on what constitutes happiness across cultures and countries to advance scholarly knowledge on the happiness construct. A systematic review was conducted to examine the determinants of happiness in samples across cultures and countries. Five different databases, including APA PsycNet, EBSCO-Academic, EBSCO-Business, Project MUSE, and Google Scholar, grey literature, and in-text references from relevant review articles were used. A total of 155 articles were included in the review, encompassing studies from over 100 countries and 44 cultures. Myriad determinants of happiness were found that were placed into three broad categories labeled Health, Hope, and Harmony. The predominant happiness determinants were mental, emotional, and physical well-being, a purposeful holistic work-life balance, nurturing social relationships, caring for self and others, and being in harmony with one's culture, traditions, community, religion, and environment. This study engendered an "Integrated Model of the Determinants of Happiness" to provide a universally applicable conceptualization of the happiness construct. By examining studies on determinants of happiness across the globe in the past 90 years, this review uncovered that happiness constitutes multiple determinants that fall under three major categories: 'Health', 'Hope', and 'Harmony'.

Emotional and physical-related experiences as potential mechanisms linking physical activity and happiness: Evidence from the Ghana Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study

This study examines the association between physical inactivity (PI) and happiness among Ghanaian older adults and whether emotional and physical-related experiences (EPE) mediate the association. Data from the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being and Health-seeking Behavior Study (AgeHeaPsyWel-HeaSeeB) conducted in 2016-2018 among 1201 older Ghanaians were analyzed. Happiness was assessed with the self-rated and cross-culturally validated item on a 5-point scale. PI was evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Hierarchical linear regressions and mediation analyses were performed to estimate the hypothesized associations. Results showed that PI was significantly associated with lower levels of happiness (β = -0.053, p < .001) net of potential confounders. The association of PI with happiness was attenuated and fully mediated by pain, sleep problems, loneliness, anxiety, and boredom. Moreover, in terms of the cross-level interaction effects, PI moderated the happiness-pain (β = -0.029, p < .005), happiness-social isolation (β = -0.024, p < .05), and happiness-boredom (β = -0.023, p < .005) associations. Our data suggest that EPE may explain why PI decreases happiness in old age. Findings provide valuable insight into the interventions and decisions to improve subjective well-being and quality of life in old age.

Promoting Healthy Behaviors in Older Adults to Optimize Health-Promoting Lifestyle: An Intervention Study

Introduction: Exercise intervention is the easiest and most effective way to promote human health. This study combined technology and exercise to improve the health behavior of the older adults through a physical activity intervention and to enhance a health-promoting lifestyle. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental research method was used to openly recruit 120 healthy male and female older adults over 65 years old (average age of males: 71.6 ± 1.25 years; average age of females: 72.3 ± 1.28 years), all of whom wore smart bracelets. The participants were monitored by special personnel during the same period of walking every Monday to Friday. All participants recorded their daily steps, distance walked, and calorie consumption data for a period of 8 weeks. Results: After 8 weeks of walking, all participants showed a positive medium−high correlation of various factors between healthy behaviors and the health-promoting lifestyle scales. In the post-tests of each factor of two scales, males had the highest correlation between regular physical activity and physical activity, and females had the highest correlation between regular physical activity and social support. The variabilities in the explanatory power of the health behaviors of males and females on the health-promoting lifestyle were R2 = 70.9% (p < 0.01) and R2 = 74.1% (p < 0.01), indicating that the variables of healthy behaviors have a positive effect on health-promoting lifestyles in male and female older adults. Conclusions: Walking interventions positively affect the health behaviors of older adults and encourage health-promoting lifestyles. The value of this study is in its contribution to health promotion and public health recommendations for older adults.

Physical Activity and Social Support to Promote a Health-Promoting Lifestyle in Older Adults: An Intervention Study

The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of intervention in the form of physical activity and social support while co-exercising to promote a health-promoting lifestyle in older adults. This study openly recruited 60 healthy male older adults, all of whom wore a wrist-worn Garmin device walker. Experimental group A was monitored by a special person and walked together as a group, experimental group B walked independently outdoors, and the control group went about their daily routine as normal. All participants recorded daily steps and calorie consumption data for eight weeks. The results of the study showed that when walking together in experimental group A, the number of daily walks and calories consumed could be maintained at a high level due to the effect of group and social support. The number of daily walks in experimental group B was inconsistent due to the lack of motivation to walk on their own. The control group consumed the lowest number of calories in their daily routine. The results show that physical activity and social support have positive explanatory power for a health-promoting lifestyle. Finally, physical activity in older adults should be promoted, and social support for interaction with peers can effectively promote a healthy lifestyle and respond to the arrival of the super-aged society in advance.

Modeling the effects of physical activity, education, health, and subjective wealth on happiness based on Indonesian national survey data

BACKGROUND

Studies on physical activity's psychological benefits are generally fewer than those on its physiological benefits, and these limited studies have mostly investigated its impact on cognitive functions. Studies exclusively investigating physical activity's effects on happiness are rare. This study aims to investigate the effect of physical activity on psychological functions, especially on happiness.

METHODS

Analysis was based on a large field of nationally representative Indonesian adult data. Data were compiled based on face-to-face interviews with 12,051 adults. Participants provided measures of physical activity, subjective health, and happiness, and responses were recorded with computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) software. Demographic data, including gender, subjective wealth, education, and age, were also included in the analysis. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to determine the relationship between physical activity, health, subjective wealth, and happiness.

RESULTS

The tested model of the association between physical activity, health, subjective wealth, and happiness indicated a good fit, based on χ² (1, n = 12,051) = 48.733, p = .001, RMSEA = .063, and CFI = .97. Path analysis results showed that health conditions mediated the effects of physical activity on happiness. The result also showed positive effects of education level and subjective wealth on happiness.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that engagement in physical activity has a positive impact on happiness. Indonesian adults should engage in more active lifestyles since more than one-third of Indonesians did not get enough physical activity.

Understanding the Interactions of Happiness, Self-Rated Health, Mental Feelings, Habit of Eating Healthy and Sport/Activities: A Path Model for Abu Dhabi

Understanding the interactions between happiness, self-perception of health, healthy eating behaviors, physical activities, and psychological feelings or symptoms of mental health provides necessary inputs for social policymaking. Using data from the second cycle of the Abu Dhabi Quality of Life survey, this study examined a path analysis of Abu Dhabi residents’ nature of assimilations between these variables. The results point to the significant association between happiness and self-rated health. In addition, the results portray significant direct paths to happiness from three mental feeling variables—“feeling calm and peaceful”, “having lots of energy”, and “feeling downhearted and depressed”. The variable of “often feeling rushed or pressed for time” shows a direct path to self-rated health only. Eating healthy food is significantly associated with both happiness and self-perception of health. In addition, “often doing physical activities” positively influences happiness. The present study enhances and refines policymakers’ understanding of the considered factors on happiness and self-rated health with further elaborations of the mediating roles of specific well-being determinants. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Association of Regular Leisure-Time Physical Activity with Happiness among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Taiwan

The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between regular LTPA (i.e., 150-300 min of moderate-intensity or 75-150 min of high-intensity physical activity) and happiness among middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan. The cross-sectional study data were obtained from the Taiwan National Physical Activity Survey, a nationally representative survey of the Taiwanese population. A total of 12,687 middle-aged and older adults (45-108 years) were ultimately enrolled in this study. The questionnaire data obtained through this national telephone survey included sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported health status, self-evaluations (comprising height, body weight, and happiness), and zip code of residence. The results suggest a significant positive relationship between regular LTPA and happiness scores; that is, the middle-aged adults who engaged in more LTPA may report higher happiness occurrence than others. This study suggests that regular LTPA is an essential factor influencing happiness. LTPA is an essential form of physical activity that helps middle-aged and older people to relax.

Effects of Virtual Reality Sessions on the Quality of Life, Happiness, and Functional Fitness among the Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial from Taiwan

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Ageing is a complex process with physical, psychological, and social changes, which can lead to diseases and disability, and further reduce happiness levels. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology with the potential to improve overall well-being, quality of life (QoL), muscle activity and balance. Our study aimed to determine the influence of VR sessions on the QoL, happiness, and functional fitness components of an elderly cohort.

METHODS

A non-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty participants, who visited the active ageing center at the university were randomized into two groups- intervention and control. The intervention group received VR experience sessions for 15 min twice a week for a duration of 6 weeks, while the control group received no sessions. Participants filled out a questionnaire for QoL assessment and happiness assessment. They were also tested for several functional fitness components. Both questionnaires and fitness tests were conducted at the beginning and at the end of study.

RESULTS

QoL improved by some metrics assessed (Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression). Happiness significantly improved in the intervention group relative to the control group. Among the functional fitness tests, the back scratch test 1st and back scratch test 2nd were measured to be significantly improved in the intervention group in comparison to control group.

CONCLUSIONS

VR sessions have potential to influence the well-being and functional fitness of older adults and further support the process of healthy and active ageing. Future considerations could focus on supporting more physical and psychological aspects of the older people through VR content.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04166747.

Moving more, ageing happy: findings from six low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

low levels of well-being (including happiness) in the older population are major global concern given rapid population ageing especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity may increase levels of happiness, but data on the older population are scarce, while there are no data from LMICs.

OBJECTIVE

we investigated the relationship between physical activity and happiness, and the influential factors in this association among older adults employing nationally representative datasets from six LMICs.

METHODS

community-based cross-sectional data from the Global Ageing and Adult Health study were analysed. Physical activity was assessed with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants were grouped into those who do and do not meet physical activity recommendations. Happiness was assessed with a cross-culturally validated single-item question (range 0-4) with higher scores indicating higher levels of happiness. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression and mediation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

the sample included 14,585 adults aged ≥65 years (mean age = 72.6 ± SD 11.4 years; 55% female). After adjusting for multiple confounders, meeting physical activity guidelines was positively associated with more happiness (fully adjusted model, odds ratio = 1.27; 95% confidence interval = 1.04-1.54). The physical activity-happiness association was largely explained by difficulties in mobility, cognitive impairment, disability and social cohesion, which explained ≥20% of the association.

CONCLUSIONS

meeting recommended physical activity levels was positively linked with happiness in older adults from LMICs. Longitudinal and interventional studies among older people in LMICs are warranted to assess directionality and the potential for physical activity promotion to improve mental well-being in this population.

The mediating effect of perceived health on the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being in Chinese college students

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity (PA) and subjective well-being (SWB) in Chinese college students, and to determine if the perceived health mediated this association, while both controlling for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).

PARTICIPANTS

1204 college students (47.8% female, mean age =19.76 ± 1.29 years) voluntarily completed a set of questionnaires in a single-wave (cross-sectional) assessment in 2016.

METHODS

Participants answered questions measuring happiness, life satisfaction, PA, and perceived health. Five multiple regression models were performed to test the mediating effect. Age, gender, and body weight status were added to all models as covariates.

RESULTS

Meeting the moderate- to vigorous-PA (MVPA) guideline (>150 min/week) was associated with higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction (p's < 0.001). These positive associations were weakened while controlling for the perceived health. Gender was a significant covariate for happiness and body weight status was a significant covariate for life satisfaction. Age was not a significant covariate for all models.

CONCLUSION

PA is positively associated with SWB among college students and this positive association is partially mediated by the individual levels of perceived health. Universities might consider providing exercise programs and advocating students participating more MVPA as effective ways to support students' mental and emotional well-being.

Relationships among Leisure Physical Activity, Sedentary Lifestyle, Physical Fitness, and Happiness in Adults 65 Years or Older in Taiwan

The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship among leisure physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, physical fitness, and happiness in healthy elderly adults aged over 65 years old in Taiwan. Data were recruited from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan, which was proposed in the Project on the Establishment of Physical Fitness Testing Stations by the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education. Participants were recruited from fitness testing stations set up in 22 counties and cities from October 2015 to May 2016. A total of 20,111 healthy older adults aged 65-102 years were recruited as research participants. The fitness testing procedure was described to all participants, who were provided with a standardized structured questionnaire. Participants' data included sex, city or county of residence, living status (living together with others or living alone), education level, and income. Physical fitness testing was conducted in accordance with The Fitness Guide for Older Adults published by the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education. The testing involved cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and body composition. The t-test was used to evaluate the differences between continuous and grade variables under the two classification variables of sex, city or county of residence, and living status. We used the MARS (multivariate adaptive regression splines) model to analyze the effects of physical fitness variables and leisure physical activity variables on happiness. Among healthy elderly adults, sex, age, living status, body mass index, and leisure physical activity habits proved to be related to happiness. Aerobic endurance (2-min step test), muscular strength and endurance (30-s arm curl and 30-s chair stand tests), flexibility (back stretch and chair sit-and-reach tests), and balance ability (8-foot up-and-go tests and one-leg stance with eyes open tests) were found to be related to happiness. The results of this study indicate that increased physical activity and intensity, as well as physical fitness performance, are associated with improved happiness.

Theoretical framework and protocol for the evaluation of Strong Through Every Mile (STEM), a structured running program for survivors of intimate partner violence

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence can have a devastating impact on victims' psychological and physical health and ability to maintain and preserve interpersonal relationships. The aim of the current study is to empirically test the effectiveness of Strong Through Every Mile (STEM), a 10-week structured running (exercise) program designed to increase psychological, social, and physical well-being among survivors of intimate partner violence. To the authors' knowledge, STEM is the only community-based structured running program designed to improve the quality of life of survivors of intimate partner violence. This paper will describe the STEM program and present the theoretical basis of the program and the program evaluation design.

METHODS

The current study will utilize an interdisciplinary lens to evaluate a community-based intervention aimed at decreasing the negative effects of intimate partner violence on women's lives. The study will use a mixed method approach (qualitative and quantitative), including a pre- and post-test evaluation of the STEM running program. Primary data will be collected using paper and pencil surveys which assess women's psychological, social, and physical well-being prior to participation in the program and following the completion of the program. Qualitative data from focus groups will also be collected and allow for a more rich understanding of the changes that women experience over the course of the program and specific mechanisms underlying these changes.

DISCUSSION

The current study will employ an interdisciplinary lens to examine the extent to which a structured exercise program, specifically running, impacts the psychological, social and physical well-being of women survivors of intimate partner violence. Findings of this study can influence the development and implementation of similar programs for survivors of intimate partner violence and other types of trauma by identifying mechanisms central in achieving positive outcomes for participants.

The association between leisure time physical activity and happiness: Testing the indirect role of health perception

AIMS

Research supports the influence of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) on well-being; however, little is known about the mechanisms that drive the relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate the indirect influence of health perception on the association between neighborhood LTPA and happiness.

METHODS

Telephone interviews were conducted using random digit dialing among a sample of adult residents aged 18+ (n = 570) to gather information about neighborhood LTPA behaviors, perceptions of health and happiness, and sociodemographics.

RESULTS

Results of a structural equation modeling analysis indicated that health had a small significant indirect influence on the relationship between LTPA and happiness.

CONCLUSION

Focusing on perceptions offers a holistic conceptualization of how behavior impacts happiness and may offer important insights into how the experience of engaging in LTPA contributes to the subjective evaluation of personal happiness through perceived health.

Investigating the effect of education on health-promoting lifestyle among the elderly of Ramsar in 2017

Introduction and Objective:

Providing and enhancing the level of health are one of the essential needs of all people, and implementation of health promotion lifestyle is the most important and effective factor in maintaining and improving the health of the elderly. The present study aimed at defining the effect of aging on health-promoting lifestyle.

Methodology:

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 72 individuals from the retirees clubs of Education department, Social Security, and Health centers in Ramsar, in 2017. Sampling was done randomly with blocking and random allocation in two groups: Experimental and control. Data were collected in two steps by Demographic profile questionnaire, AMT, ADL, OHI and HPlP II which validity and reliability of them were confirmed. Participants attended eight training sessions (twice each week). Data analysis was performed with the use of SPSS 18 and descriptive (Frequency) and analytic tests (Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Independent Sample t test and Paired Sample t test) with a significance level of 0.05.

Results:

The results showed that the mean age of the elderly was 64.4 ± 4.1 years. The mean score of lifestyle enhancement was 148.59 and 173.25 before and after training in the experimental group, respectively. Based on the results of paired t-test (P < 0. 323), there was no significant difference between the mean life expectancy of elderly health promotion in control group before and after educational intervention; however, there was a significant difference between the two groups before and after training (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Educational programs play an important role in integrating health-promoting lifestyle to encourage the elderly to accept more accountability regarding health, sustained physical fitness, proper nutrition, healthy interpersonal relationships, expected spiritual growth, and the proper management of stress and anxiety in life.

An exploration of the experiences of Australian Grey Nomads travelling with chronic conditions

Internationally, the population is ageing and people are living well, longer. In Australia, extended travelling has gained popularity among older Grey Nomads due to time and opportunity post retirement. However, there is limited research available focusing on older Australians’ health while travelling. This paper reports the qualitative phase of a larger mixed-method project that explores the experience of Australian Grey Nomads travelling with chronic conditions. Eight Grey Nomads participated in telephone interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Two themes emerged, namely: continuity of care while travelling and experts on the road. Participants described encountering a fragmented health system, with challenges regarding finding health services; a lack of shared medical records; and difficulties accessing regular medications. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated health preparedness, an ability to accommodate health on the road, and were all travelling for their health. This study highlights key systems issues that challenge health care while travelling, and identifies opportunities for both usual practices and rural health services to enhance the care provided to this group.