Walking in a Winter Wonderland? The role of weather for older adults’ winter walking practices in County Durham.

Abstract

Currently we know that as age increases so does physical inactivity, and generally the more affluent an area is the more active people are. We also know that staying physically active through activities such as walking is important for healthy ageing for older adults. This is increasingly important due to an ageing population and the capability of preventive health care. However, in winter older adults are often less physically active citing the weather as something that dissuades participation. However, we currently know very little about how the varied and combined elements that comprise winter weather (precipitation, ice, wind, sunlight, snow, temperature, fog) shape older adults’ perceptions and experience of walking in winter. This thesis explores the role of weather for older adults’ winter walking practices. Both mobile and traditional semi-structured interviews and creative workshops were used to explore the role of the weather for older adults’ winter walking practices.

Data collected was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis that facilitated the findings to be separated into four key areas: Winter Weather and Mental Health, Adapting to the Winter Weather, Constructing and Reinforcing Place Based Identities, and Sensing the weather. Overall, the findings show the complexity of how weather, person, and place interact which effect how the participants live within and are physically active with a place. The findings of this study have also informed a set of practical recommendations for people supporting older adults to be active in winter.