SENIORS RATINGS OF THE HELPFULNESS OF VARIOUS PROGRAM SUPPORT MECHANISMS UTILIZED IN A PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY PROMOTION PROGRAM

This paper describes the support mechanisms of a 6-month program desig ned to increase the physical activity levels of older adults in congre gate housing facilities and in the community at large. It also reports participant ratings of perceived helpfulness of the various mechanism s to determine the relative value of these mechanisms to enrollees att empting to change their behavior. In general, there was consistency wi th respect to the ratings of perceived helpfulness between those resid ing in the community and those from the congregate housing facilities. However, some differences were found. For example, those residing in the community generally rated the mechanisms as less helpful than did participants from congregate housing settings. Individualized attentio n was ranked among the most helpful features. Results should be useful to those who design and implement physical activity promotion program s for older adults.