Exploring the perceptions, barriers, and enablers of physical activity for people with younger onset dementia and care partners through thematic analysis.

Abstract

People with younger onset dementia experience distinct lifestyle, disease, and funding circumstances. Given the holistic benefits of physical activity, we aim to explore people with younger onset dementia and care partner's perceptions of physical activity. Ten people with younger onset dementia (female = 4; aged 51-66) and nine care partners (female = 8, aged 55-67) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and reported according to the COREQ guidelines. Five overarching themes were identified: 1) Safe participation in physical activity. Care partners expressed concerns for safe exercise participation, requiring activity modification with disease progression. 2) Social inclusion and community participation. People sought group-based and dementia inclusive physical activities to provide social support. 3) The impact of a dementia diagnosis on physical activity and wellbeing. Physical activity can mitigate the loss of sense of self and independence experienced post-diagnosis. 4) There is a need to overcome systemic and accessibility challenges, such as limitations in transport accessibility. 5) The role of tailored activity design. Safety and transport accessibility are key barriers to physical activity for people with younger onset dementia. Group-based, dementia-inclusive, physical activity tailored for people with younger onset dementia may be effective in providing support.