Using photovoice and whole body video games to engage families in health practices for successful aging

Background: Establishing physical activity (PA) interventions to reach medically underserved urban populations may advance healthy lifestyle practices for successful aging. Whole body video games may aid urban adults in staying active to improve cardiovascular health and balance to reduce falls, the leading cause of injury-related deaths in Wisconsin. Photovoice is a qualitative method in which people identify their perspectives on a topic by taking pictures that are significant for them. Purpose: Examine the feasibility and impact of a guided educational intervention centering on PA, successful aging and photovoice development for a culturally-diverse sample of young adults and their older adult relatives.

Methods: Participants (n=24; age range 18-27) received a six-week (12-hours) interactive training program on PA for successful aging and development of photovoice. Participants engaged in whole body video game PA and developed photovoices; older adult (n=24; age range 54-84) relatives served as photovoice models, reviewed and evaluated projects. Descriptive statistics and evaluative feedback measures were developed.

Results: Participants rated high program satisfaction, especially in PA features and comfort with educational methods. Post-program improvements in knowledge and skills were significantly higher for participants (p<.001). Results suggest that older adults who have aged successfully (i.e., advanced chronological age, quality of life) role model healthy lifestyle practices for younger adults, and photovoice development increases families' awareness of factors (e.g., sedentary lifestyle, smoking) leading to decreased quality of life.

Conclusion/Discussion: An intergenerational initiative that provides culturally relevant health information for successful aging may be effective. Implications for practitioners and researchers will be discussed.