Qualitative Experiences of Older Adults Participating in a Student-Delivered Community Outreach TeleheAlth Program...

Chronic diseases are prevalent in Canada's aging population (≥65 years), which makes practicing positive health behaviors (e.g., physical activity and healthy diet) critical for the management of chronic diseases (e.g., stroke and heart disease). However, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention strategies of quarantining, social isolation, and physical distancing may compromise one's ability to manage health and engage in daily activities, possibly increasing the risk of adverse health events. The Community Outreach teleheAlth program for Covid education and Health promotion (COACH) program has demonstrated an increase in health-promoting behaviors, but little is known about participants' experiences in participating in the program. The program entailed six telehealth sessions over 2 months that focused on health coaching, behavior change, and COVID education. This study aims to qualitatively describe older adult (≥65 years of age) participants' experiences in the student-delivered COACH program. Twenty-four (n = 24) COACH participants were interviewed one-on-one in 30- to 45-minute audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews through Zoom videoconferencing. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. The sample's mean age was 73.4 years (58% female) with 75% reporting two or more chronic conditions. Two major themes were identified that described participants' experiences in COACH: (a) "Knowledge: Gaining New and Reinforcing Old" and (b) "Coach: Provider of Motivational Support." COACH supported participants' self-management knowledge, healthy behavior skills, and motivation during COVID-19. COACH acted as an external support strategy for chronic disease management and prevention practices during COVID-19, where student coaches provided motivation and knowledge to support self-management in older adult participants. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04492527).