IDENTIFYING GROUP FACILITATORS' COMPETENCES IN AN INNOVATIVE HEALTH PROMOTING PROGRAMME FOR COMMUNITY LIVING SENIORS

Background: Health promotion for seniors is increasingly in the spotlight. For some years, the Dutch Healthy and Active Ageing (HAA) programme responds to these challenges. The intention of the programme is to support seniors... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Health promotion for seniors is increasingly in the spotlight. For some years, the Dutch Healthy and Active Ageing (HAA) programme responds to these challenges. The intention of the programme is to support seniors to discover what daily activities mean for self-perceived health and well-being. Recently, the programme has revised, based on the insights obtained from implementation in practice (Heijsman et al., 2011a; Heijsman et al., 2011b). The reconsidered HAA programme is particularly inspired by positive psychology as a comprehensive concept to stress seniors’ strengths and capacities (Van Nes & Heijsman, 2015). Evaluation of the revised programme sheds light on core competences needed how to introduce and perform the programme.
Method:
We evaluated the HAA programme in various contexts in the city of Amsterdam by using Participatory Action Research methodology, including participatory observations in group sessions, individual interviews with participants at the start (expectations) and end (experiences) of the programme, and focus group interviews with group facilitators. Data were qualitatively analysed and used as feedback to facilitate an ongoing action learning process and progressive improvements concerning the programme and application in practice.
Results:
Core competences concern: (1) networking and co-operating in the community; (2) performing a supporting and reinforcing role in the group dynamical process; (3) daring to trust on a senior’s strengths and capacities.
Conclusion:
Health promotion to seniors is a challenging field that requires new competences.
Application to Practice:
Innovations in health promotion challenge occupational therapists to acquire community-development competences and positive approaches concerning the process of ageing.