User perceptions of a public health program to reduce disability among Chilean older adults

Background: The Program "Mas Adultos Mayores Autovalentes" (Mas AMA) started in 2015 as a strategy for the prevention of disability among older adults. Aim: To describe the health benefits, from user's perspective, of the Functional Stimulation Component of the Mas AMA program. Material and Methods: Eleven focus groups including 97 participants of the Mas AMA program were conducted in Northern Metro-politan Santiago municipalities. Results: The benefits perceived by Mas AMA participants were a reduction in loneliness and isolation, physical reactivation, engagement in activities, and the use of support resources within the community. The relationship with professionals working at Mas AMA was described as highly satisfactory. Conclusions: The benefits of attending the Mas AMA program from the point of view of their users are mainly related with social and affective dimensions, which contrast with the emphasis in physical and cognitive dimensions given by the technical orientation of the Mas AMA program.