Rural naturally occurring retirement communities: The relationship between socio-physical characteristics and active living among older adults

Regular physical activity is associated with a multitude of health benefits, but older adults are currently one of the least active groups in the United States. There is growing interest in how aspects of the social and physical environments can help this population to initiate and maintain an active lifestyle. The purpose of this dissertation is to identify and explore the relationships between the socio-physical characteristics of a rural naturally occurring retirement community (NORC), individual factors of older residents, and their active living behaviors. Active living incorporates physical activity into everyday life. NORCs are places where a high proportion of older residents live, even though they were not planned, developed, or marketed with older adults in mind.; This case study of Green Lake, a rural NORC in Wisconsin, addresses three research questions: (1) How do certain identified socio-physical rural NORC characteristics influence active living among older residents? (2) Why are particular socio-physical rural NORC characteristics more salient for certain older residents and not for others? (3) How do the types and patterns of active living relate to the self-efficacy, preferences, motivations, physical health, length of residency, and residential choice of older residents?; Five data collection methods were employed in the study: (1) an environmental inventory, (2) questionnaires, (3) a direct observation of park and recreation areas, (4) physical activity diaries, and (5) interviews. Two samples of community-dwelling older residents age 60 years and older participated in the study: 197 questionnaire respondents and 12 participants who completed both a diary and interview.; The study revealed that a variety of socio-physical characteristics, many of which are unique to a rural NORC rich in natural amenities, had a positive impact on active living behavior, particularly walking. These characteristics include perceived safety of both the physical and social (e.g., absence of crime, knowing other residents) environments and social interaction, which was facilitated by the visibility and sociability of other residents. The aesthetics of both the built and natural environments also encouraged walking among older NORC residents. Study participants identified few NORC features that negatively influenced their active living endeavors. Self-efficacy, preference, motivation, and physical health influenced the participation and patterns of various active living behaviors. Furthermore, the study revealed that some older adults with preferences for outdoor recreation self-selected into the NORC largely due to the water-based activities afforded by its lake.