Table 1.

Content analysis results on participants’ preferences and suggestions related to the proposed intervention.

Interview topic	Main Responses	Other responses
Walking 5–10 minutes of walking at their own pace	● Walking is reasonable n=9 ● Reasonable for others, I could do more n=4 ● Reasonable for me, may be challenging for others n=3 ● Walking time could be longer n=2	● Walking should be progressive in nature (build up the time) n=3 ● Residents will have varying abilities n=3 ● We (researchers) should consider residents’ attention spans n=2 ● We need to consider the space available for walking n=2 ● “I’m more capable than most” n=2
Behavioral/Educational Component 20–30 minutes of education including the benefits of light physical activity, discussions about overcoming barriers to being active, and goal setting	● Good/helpful n=19	● We should shorten the time of this component n=5 ● Need to address their confidence and motivation n=2 ● Need to get to know the people n=2 ● This is the less exciting component of the program n=2 ● We should consider residents’ attention spans n=1 ● Not sure if most residents are interested in PA n=1 ● Likes the idea of group discussions n=1 ● We should phase out education over time n=1 ● This component should not be between walking and circuit training n=1
Circuit Training 30–45 minutes with exercise stations focusing on strength and balance	● Good/helpful n=19   (but might be too challenging for some n=2) ● Not interested n=1	● Residents will have varying abilities n=4 ● Circuit training will be a helpful opportunity for things I can’t or don’t do on own n=3 ● Supervision will be important n=3 ● Some already exercise on their own (will they want to do more?) n=2 ● Circuit training should be progressive in nature n=2 ● Circuit training time should be shortened n=2 ● We should stretch first n=2 ● May need two groups with different levels (such as a sitting exercise group and a standing exercise group) n=2 ● We will need to figure out space where this would take place n=1 ● Sounds good if people will join n=1 ● Some residents may need modifications n=1 ● Should not be mandatory (program in general) n=1 ● Will need balance support n=1 ● Have plan in place for if someone wanders off during exercise n=1
Program Length 16 weeks (n=15) 12 weeks (presented to final n=5)	Presented 16 week ● Good length n=7 ● Too long n=4 ● Good for me, might be too long for others n=3 Presented 12 week ● Good if…n=3   ‐ we have the option to drop out   ‐ people interested enough to attend regularly (they are used to optional activities)   ‐ framed as “we’re available to help you for 12 weeks”, not that you must attend for 12 weeks ● Good length n=1 ● Too long n=1	● It may take some time for people to ease into the program/they may join gradually n=4 ● People are not used to programs where they would be expected to attend every session n=4 ● Whether length is appropriate will depend on resident interest n=3 ● Consider weather (some residents have to walk to main building) n=1 ● Greater frequency for fewer weeks would be better n=1 ● Most programs in assisted living are ongoing n=1 ● Needs to be long enough to demonstrate value n=1
Session Lengtha 1.5–2 hours (n=15) 1–1.5 hours (n=5)	● 1.5–2 hours is too long n=8 (n=3 said sessions should be 1 hour only) ● 1.5–2 hours is appropriate n=2 ● 1.5–2 hours okay for some, not all n=1 ● 1–1.5 hours is appropriate n=2 (n=1 said sessions should be 1 hour only) ● In general, program takes too much time n=1	● We need to consider residents’ attention spans n=2 ● Program should be more repetitive with less time per session n=2 ● We should build up to longer sessions n=1 ● Residents will have varying abilities n=1
Session Frequency 2 sessions/week	● Good n=13   (n=1 said this frequency would be good if they end up liking the program) ● Could have >2 sessions/week (usually suggested 3 sessions/week) n=4 ● In general, program takes too much time n=1 ● Residents may choose to only attend 1 session/week n=1	● We could hold one session on the weekend n=1 ● Will take time to get the program going and get people involved n=1 ● Will need to alternate days with yoga classes n=1
Other activities they would suggest adding	● Nothing they would want to add to the program n=5 ● Game-like/enjoyable activities n=4 ● Would like their facility to add exercise machines n=2 ● Functional activities n=1 ● Mental/hand-eye coordination n=1 ● Training in proper techniques n=1 ● Stairs n=1 ● Swimming n=1 ● Yoga n=1 ● Liked that current program in their facility includes a massage after working upper extremity muscles n=1
How interested would you be in participating?	● Interested n=13 ● Would give it a try n=5   ‐ thinks it might be designed for those with decreased abilities n=1   ‐ depends on time of year (less likely in winter to walk over) n=1   ‐ depends on health n=1   ‐ depends on motivation n=1   ‐ depends on ability to do the program (with poor balance) n=1 ● Not interested in PA n=1 ● Don’t need n=1		● Factors mentioned influencing participation   ‐ Health n=2   ‐ Wanting to help the program n=1   ‐ Whether they like it n=1   ‐ Seeing progress n=1   ‐ Commitment level n=1   ‐ Time of day (not morning) n=1 ● It will be helpful to learn to do exercises on their own n=1
How interested would other residents be?	● Interest will vary (some will, some won’t) n=8 ● It will be a challenge to recruit n=3 ● Not many will be interested n=2 ● Will really like it if…   ‐ it is enjoyable n=1   ‐ they can see benefits n=1 ● We will need something catchy, incentives n=2 ● Unsure n=2 ● Residents may join later (after they have seen others participate) n=1		● Residents may not be interested in PA n=3 ● Some residents may not have focus or ability to participate n=3 ● The program would be helpful for residents n=2 ● Some may not stick with it n=2 ● The program is more than they typically do on their own n=1
Session Time of Day	● Morning n=10   ‐ mornings less busy n=5   ‐ morning person n=1   ‐ more alert n=2   ‐ people fall apart in the afternoon n=1   ‐ get it done right away n=1   ‐ people nap in the afternoon n=1 ● Either morning or afternoon n=5 ● Afternoon n=4   ‐ don’t always get up in time n=1   ‐ more time in afternoon n=1   ‐ wouldn’t participate in am n=1		● Will need to schedule around other activities at the facility n=6
Equipment Preferences (Hand weights vs. exercise bands)	● Either/try both n=8 ● Weights n=5 ● Not sure/no experience with one or other n=2 ● Exercise bands n=1 ● May depend on individual abilities n=1		● Consider if weights are safe n=1 ● Consider ease of transporting equipment (weights might be more difficult) n=1
How long are you able to stand?	● <30 minutes (several said 10 minutes) n=8 ● Not limited n=6 ● Not sure, never stands still n=3 ● 45–60 minutes n=2		● Standing can cause pain or dizziness n=3 ● Depends on how they’re feeling n=1 ● Can stand longer with assistive device n=1
How far are you able to walk?	● Not too limited n=10 ● Limited n=9   ‐ across parking lot to other building   ‐ affected by foot pain   ‐ only walks to meals   ‐ difficulty walking uphill   -10 minutes   -1-2 blocks, then hip, knee problems   ‐ gets out of breath   −1/2 mile with walker and stopping to rest   ‐ limited by hip arthritis		● Can walk longer with assistive device n=2 ● It is easier when there is less traffic in the hallways n=1
Wearing Garmin (wrist-worn pedometer)a In some interviews, the participants were shown the device to see how well they could read the screen	● Yes, would be willing to wear n=11 ● Able to read screen n=8   ‐ but might be too small for others n=2 ● Difficult to read screen n=1		● Could be used as incentive n=1 ● There is a risk of residents losing the device n=1
Study Measuresa	● Willing to complete n=13		● Those who have completed can speak to how easy it is n=1 ● Will be interested in seeing study outcomes n=1
Framing Program Goal Increasing light physical activity vs. decreasing sedentary time	● Increase activity n=12   ‐ positive n=5   ‐ promote something vs. telling not to do something n=1   ‐ telling to decrease sitting sounds like accusing of laziness n=1   ‐ lift into something better n=1   ‐ easier to track n=1   ‐ they won’t like a decrease sitting message n=1 ● Decrease sitting n=5   ‐ more motivating because less opportunities to be active in small apartment n=1   ‐ recognizes sitting problem n=3   ‐ people may not realize how long they sit n=1 ● Both (could frame it both ways) n=2 ● Not interested n=1		● Frame it as starting small and building to the goal (don’t have to start with 30 min.) n=1
General suggestions	● Residents will have a range of abilities n=5 ● Some will be limited n=4 ● Should we stretch before walking? n=4 ● Recruitment may be challenging (unsure if people will join) n=3 ● Important for residents to know their limits n=2 ● Kudos to us for planning the program n=2 ● We should address their interest in maintaining PA and abilities (many become discouraged with aging) n=1 ● Need to define our target population n=1 ● Need to find the right activities to include in the program n=1 ● Include music n=1 ● Need to get with the people (see if they like it, get them onboard) n=1 ● They need to see the benefits and see how others like the program (might take some time) n=1 ● Opportunity to work on thing can’t do on own (balance) n=1 ● Program is necessary n=1 ● Safety, monitoring is important n=1 ● Two groups may be needed for residents of different abilities n=1 ● Consider planning an intervention for those who are more active and able (could be in conjunction with staff interested in exercise) n=1

^aQuestion on this topic was added later to the interview guide and was not posed to all participants.

Note: The “Main Responses” column contains mutually exclusive categories, and each resident is only represented by one response in that column. “Other responses” are responses that residents gave in addition to their main response and residents could be represented in more than one category.