Groundbreaking research into how older people with sight loss can engage in physical activity has been released by sight loss charity, Thomas Pocklington Trust, who called on leisure providers to make facilities and activities accessible and sight-loss friendly.
Speaking at the first national conference on physical activity for older people – Senior Activity and Fitness 2014 – Dr Catherine Dennison, head of health and wellbeing research, Thomas Pocklington Trust, said: “This is the first time systematic research has asked older people with sight loss about their experience of trying to stay active. Many of the participants enjoyed walking, cycling, bowls or dance, for example; but all of them had suffered problems with accessibility. They want to stay fit, mobile and independent but the research shows that they are unfairly disadvantaged. A determined effort is needed by all those providing physical activities to make them accessible to all.”
The study, Physical Activity among Older People with Sight Loss, carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School and Loughborough University, interviewed older people with sight loss about their experiences of trying to stay active. All the participants felt a deep sense of loss at having to reduce their physical activity because of sight loss. They were well aware of the important benefits of staying mobile but cited numerous barriers that excluded them. While health was a key factor, the lack of accessible facilities was a major block to them pursuing what they wanted – fitness, fun, social interaction and independence.
Said Dr Brett Smith, Loughborough University: “Not enough people are active and this comes at a cost to their health and wellbeing as well as to the NHS. Yet, despite changes in the anti-discrimination law, gyms and other spaces to be active in are often inaccessible.”
Now Pocklington has called on leisure providers, local authorities and county sports partnerships to provide activities that are both sustainable and accessible for older people with sight loss.
“Ever since the Olympic Games there has been a real buzz about the importance of staying active, particularly for older people, but sight loss is also common in old age and providers of all physical activities need to factor that into their facilities and the type of activities they offer,” said Dr Dennison.
No previous systematic research has been carried out concerning physical activity among older people with sight loss, and health and fitness policy has had little to say about this group. In general, the Government recommends that adults should take 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week. This recommendation is just as important for older adults with sight loss as their sighted peers. Yet little appears to have been done to find out how to help older people with sight loss engage with physical activity and what advice will directly answer the specific problems they face.
The Pocklington study is the first to try and address this question. Forty-eight people with sight loss aged 60 and over were interviewed – some with ‘mobile interviews’ where researchers took part in activities alongside the interviewees. Some participants kept audio diaries.
The study found that:
For more information contact Sue Cooper Tel: 01759368286; email: sc2323@btinternet.com.