Promoting physical activity and functional capacity among informal carers (CAREFIT)

Family caregivers play a key role in caring for an ageing population, but caring responsibilities may place a particular burden on older carers and undermine their health. The CAREFIT project examines how physical activity can support carers’ health, functional capacity and coping.

The project investigates the functional capacity and physical activity behaviour of older family caregivers, as well as the factors that influence participation in different physical activity interventions. The aim is to generate knowledge on the types and methods of physical activity that can best promote carers’ well-being and support their ability to continue in their caring role.

CAREFIT is carried out in collaboration between the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and Tampere University, and in close cooperation with the Carers Finland.

Goals

To investigate the physical activity, functional capacity and well-being of older family caregivers.
To identify needs, barriers and motivating factors related to physical activity in carers’ everyday lives.
To assess the feasibility of, and adherence to, a physical activity programme tailored for carers.
To examine how the physical activity programme affects carers’ physical activity, mental well-being, functional capacity and health.
To generate knowledge that can be used to develop targeted and accessible physical activity interventions for older family caregivers and to support carers’ health and the quality of family caregivers.

Implementation

CAREFIT is a mixed-methods research project that uses an online survey and thematic interviews to explore the needs, barriers and motivational factors related to physical activity among ageing family caregivers. In addition, a systematic literature review will be conducted to compile and assess the existing research evidence on the effects of physical activity interventions targeted at older family caregivers.

Based on these findings, a six-month physical activity programme tailored for older family caregivers will be developed, taking into account the burden of caring and the specific features of everyday life. The feasibility of the programme and participants’ adherence to it will be assessed through a pilot study carried out in collaboration between the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and Tampere University.