This study examines the implementation of virtual GERAS DANCE in community, hospital, and long-term care (LTC) settings. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we conducted surveys and semi-structured interviews. Key CFIR constructs analyzed included innovation characteristics, outer setting, inner setting, individual characteristics, and implementation process. We gathered feedback from 22 healthcare professionals across 11 sites in five practice settings. Virtual GERAS DANCE reached 135 older adults. Implementation was most influenced by innovation characteristics (enjoyable music, socialization, exercise, and evidence-based design) and inner setting factors within participating organizations (cost-effective implementation, experienced staff in virtual programs, and high demand for virtual options). Barriers included technical limitations such as limited Wi-Fi capacity in rural communities. The success of virtual GERAS DANCE was largely driven by its evidence-based design and the organizational readiness for virtual health interventions.
ArcuryT. A.SandbergJ. C.MeliusK. P.QuandtS. A.LengX.LatulipeC.MillerD. P.SmithD. A.BertoniA. G. (2018). Older adult internet use and eHealth literacy. Journal of Applied Gerontology: The Official Journal of the Southern Gerontological Society, 39(2), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464818807468
2.
Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2024). Canadians Age 65 and Older, Proportion of Total Population (Percentage).
ChanS.OriordanA.AppireddyR. (2021). Exploring the determinants and experiences of senior stroke patients with virtual care. The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Le Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques, 48(1), 87–93. https://doi.org/10.1017/CJN.2020.162
5.
Chan-NguyenS.RitsmaB.NguyenL.SrivastavaS.ShuklaG.AppireddyR. (2022). Virtual care access and health equity during the COVID-19 pandemic, a qualitative study of patients with chronic diseases from Canada. Digital Health, 8, 20552076221074486. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221074486
6.
ClareA.CamicP. M.CrutchS. J.WestJ.HardingE.BrotherhoodE. (2020). Using music to develop a multisensory communicative environment for people with late-stage dementia. The Gerontologist, 60(6), 1115–1125. https://doi.org/10.1093/GERONT/GNZ169
7.
CresswellK.SheikhA. (2013). Organizational issues in the implementation and adoption of health information technology innovations: An interpretative review. International Journal of MedicalInformatics, 82(5), e73–e86. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJMEDINF.2012.10.007
8.
DamschroderL. J.ReardonC. M.WiderquistM. A. O.LoweryJ. (2022). The updated consolidated framework for implementation research based on user feedback. Implementation Science: IS, 17, 17(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/S13012-022-01245-0
9.
DoréB.GaudreaultA.EverardG.AyenaJ. C.AbboudA.RobitailleN.BatchoC. S. (2023). Acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of immersive virtual technologies to promote exercise in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sensors, 23(5), 2506. https://doi.org/10.3390/S23052506
10.
DugstadJ.EideT.NilsenE. R.EideH. (2019). Towards successful digital transformation through co-creation: A longitudinal study of a four-year implementation of digital monitoring technology in residential care for persons with dementia. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12913-019-4191-1/FIGURES/1
11.
DunlapP. M.RossoA. L.ZhuX.KlattB. N.BrachJ. S. (2022). The association of mobility determinants and life space among older adults. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 77(11), 2320–2328. https://doi.org/10.1093/GERONA/GLAB268
12.
EbrahimiZ.PatelH.WijkH.EkmanI.Olaya-ContrerasP. (2021). A systematic review on implementation of person-centered care interventions for older people in out-of-hospital settings. Geriatric Nursing, 42(1), 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GERINURSE.2020.08.004
13.
GroesslE. J.KaplanR. M.RejeskiW. J.KatulaJ. A.GlynnN. W.KingA. C.AntonS. D.WalkupM.LuC. J.ReidK.SpringB.PahorM. (2019). Physical activity and performance impact long-term quality of life in older adults at risk for major mobility disability. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 56(1), 141–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AMEPRE.2018.09.006
14.
HaydenL.ChazeF.KamathA.AzevedoA.BuckoD.JacksonA.ReynaC.KashlanY.DubeM.De PaulaJ.Warren-NortonK.DupuisK.TsotsosL. (2022). Implementation of a virtual reality recreation program in long-term care. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 9, Article 20556683211070990. https://doi.org/10.1177/20556683211070994
15.
Health Canada. (2021). Enhancing equitable access to virtual care in Canada: Principle-based recommendations for equity report of the task team on equitable access to virtual care.
16.
HewstonP.BrayS. R.KennedyC. C.IoannidisG.BoschJ.MarrS.HanmanA.GrenierA.HladyshG.PapaioannouA. (2023). Does GERAS DANCE improve gait in older adults?Aging and Health Research, 3(1), Article 100120. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AHR.2023.100120
17.
HewstonP.KennedyC.IoannidisG.MeromD.HladyshG.MarrS.LeeJ.SztramkoR.TrainorL.GrenierA.WoolhouseM. H.PattersonC.PapaioannouA. (2022). Development of GERAS DANcing for cognition and exercise (DANCE): A feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00956-3
18.
HewstonP.KennedyC.IoannidisG.MeromD.MarrS.HladyshG.PapaioannouA. (2021). Effects of GERAS DANCE on cognitive function in older adults with and without cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 17(S10), Article e055812. https://doi.org/10.1002/ALZ.055812
19.
HewstonP.KennedyC. C.BorhanS.MeromD.SantaguidaP.IoannidisG.MarrS.SantessoN.ThabaneL.BrayS.PapaioannouA. (2021). Effects of dance on cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Age and Ageing, 50(4), 1084–1092. https://doi.org/10.1093/AGEING/AFAA270
20.
HillC. E. (2012). Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena. https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4313031.329.
21.
KosurkoA.HerronR. V.GrigorovichA.BarR. J.KontosP.MenecV.SkinnerM. W. (2022). Dance wherever you are: The evolution of multimodal delivery for social inclusion of rural older adults. Innovation in Aging, 6(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1093/GERONI/IGAB058
22.
LennonM. R.BouamraneM. M.DevlinA. M.O’ConnorS.O’DonnellC.ChettyU.AgbakobaR.BikkerA.GrieveE.FinchT.WatsonN.WykeS.MairF. S. (2017). Readiness for delivering digital health at scale: Lessons from a longitudinal qualitative evaluation of a national digital health innovation program in the United Kingdom. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(2), Article e6900. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6900
23.
Lindsay-SmithG.EimeR.O’SullivanG.HarveyJ.Van UffelenJ. G. Z. (2019). A mixed-methods case study exploring the impact of participation in community activity groups for older adults on physical activity, health and wellbeing. BMC Geriatrics, 19(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12877-019-1245-5/FIGURES/2
24.
Montero-OdassoM.BhererL.StudenskiS.GopaulK.Oteng-AmoakoA.Woolmore-GoodwinS.StooleP.WellsJ.DohertyT.ZecevicA. A.GalinskyD.RylettR. J.JutaiJ.Muir-HunterS.SpeechleyM.CamicioliR. (2015). Mobility and cognition in seniors. Report from the 2008 institute of aging (CIHR) mobility and cognition workshop. Canadian Geriatrics Journal: CGJ, 18(3), 159–167. https://doi.org/10.5770/CGJ.18.188
O’ConnellM. E.ScerbeA.WileyK.GouldB.CarterJ.BourassaC.MorganD.JacklinK.WarryW. (2018). Anticipated needs and worries about maintaining Independence of rural/remote older adults: Opportunities for technology development in the context of the double digital divide. Gerontechnology, 17(3), 126–138. https://doi.org/10.4017/GT.2018.17.3.001.00
27.
OkparaC.IoannidisG.ThabaneL.AdachiJD.RabinovichA.HewstonP.LeeJ.McArthurC.KennedyC.WooT.BoulosP.BobbaR.WangM.ThrallS.ManginD.MarrS.ArmstrongD.PattersonC.BrayS.PapaioannouA. (2023). The geras virtual frailty rehabilitation program to build resilience in older adults with frailty during COVID-19: A randomized feasibility trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40814-023-01346-7/TABLES/3
28.
OliveiraA. M.RadanovicM.MelloP. C.BuchainP. C.VizzottoA. D. B.CelestinoD. L.StellaF.PiersolC. V.ForlenzaO. V. (2015). Nonpharmacological interventions to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A systematic review. BioMed Research International, 2015, Article 218980. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/218980
29.
TaoD.Awan-ScullyR.AshG. I.PeiZ.GuY.GaoY.ColeA.BakerJ. S. (2023). The effectiveness of dance movement interventions for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia: A systematic scoping review and meta-analysis. Ageing Research Reviews, 92, 102120. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ARR.2023.102120
30.
TongA.SainsburyP.CraigJ. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care: Journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1093/INTQHC/MZM042
31.
VaportzisE.ClausenM. G.GowA. J. (2017). Older adults perceptions of technology and barriers to interacting with tablet computers: A focus group study. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(1), 1687. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2017.01687
32.
WuV. X.ChiY.LeeJ. K.GohH. S.ChenD. Y. M.HauganG.ChaoF. F. T.Klainin-YobasP. (2021). The effect of dance interventions on cognition, neuroplasticity, physical function, depression, and quality of life for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 122, Article 104025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJNURSTU.2021.104025
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
