O.1.2-10 Intergenerational co-production to increase physical activity and social connectivity for health in the GOALD project (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally)

Abstract

Background and Aims: The Generating Older Active Lives Digitally (GOALD) project aims to explore how to use digital technology to keep older people physically active and socially connected for health and wellbeing, building on previous intergenerational physical activity and sports-based reminiscence work. It is taking an inclusive interdisciplinary approach working with a range of collaborating organisations and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to review and co-design digital technologies that support social connectedness, physical activity, and sports-based reminiscence. These proposed intergenerational co-production methods have been preceded by the researchers engaging with and learning from an 'advisory' group invited to consult on key aspects of the GOALD project to develop patient-tailored research and care. Methods: Participants were 28 individuals with experience in working with older people (range: 1-41 years) across different contexts (e.g., nursing care, social work, family care) and with some themselves being older (age range: 32-79 years). Between October 2021 and May 2022, advisory group members were invited to ten 1hr meetings facilitated by GOALD researchers to help develop baseline data collection measures, and address recruitment issues for future coproduction and design plans. Recordings were transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis. Results: Attendance at advisory group meetings was variable (range: 3-8 members per meeting, excluding GOALD research team members) and had several challenges. These provided a proxy for anticipated challenges as the GOALD project unfolds. Key challenges were continuing COVID-19 restrictions in England and Scotland, internet disruptions, care home staffing, family responsibility. Key findings were the shared expertise from the advisory group through their working and lived experiences such as questionnaire considerations, contextual realities of research in care homes, appropriate consideration of people with different abilities. Conclusions: Co-produced research has several challenges, particularly in the care home setting. This presentation will discuss challenges and mitigation strategies to help future researchers navigate intergenerational and/or co-productive research methods and design of tools to enhance older adult health and social care.