Overview

This is a multi-methods two-arm, crossover, analyst-blinded randomized controlled trial with embedded qualitative interviews, enrolling 50 dyads (older adult-care partner). Participants will receive the ACTIVE intervention, which includes a Fitbit smartwatch, motivational text messages to engage in walking exercise, instructional educational videos, and virtual physical therapy sessions. Intervention components will be delivered over 3 weeks, with continuous monitoring of physical activity via Fitbit data, read receipts of the motivational text messages, and log of engagement in the virtual physical therapy and educational videos.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Older Adults:

• Age ≥65 years.
• With or without mild dementia.
• Willing to consent to participate in the study or have an LAR that is willing to consent for their participation in the study
• Willing to wear a Fitbit smartwatch, receive text messages, watch intervention-related videos, participate in physical therapy, and walking exercise.
• No contraindications to engaging in physical activity.

Care Partners:

• Age ≥18 years.
• Met criteria for survey participation.
• Person being cared for is recruited in the study.
• Willing to consent to participation
• Willing to wear a Fitbit smartwatch, receive text messages, watch intervention-related videos, participate in physical therapy, and walking exercise.
• No contraindications to engaging in physical activity.

Exclusion Criteria:

Older Adults:

• Severe cardiac, neurologic, or musculoskeletal condition (including but not limited to recent or untreated fracture in any part of the body)
• limiting participation in daily walking or Fitbit smartwatch use.
• Moderate to severe dementia (using the clinical dementia rating scale of 2 or higher
• Inability to operate or manage a Fitbit smartwatch device (even with care partner support).
• No phone or phone not capable of receiving text messages or watching videos.
• No internet for watching videos

Care Partners:

• Severe cardiac, neurologic, or musculoskeletal condition limiting participation in daily walking or Fitbit smartwatch use.
• Pregnant care partners
• Any level of dementia or cognitive impairment among care partners
• Inability to operate or manage a Fitbit smartwatch device.
• Inability to co-participate in intervention tasks with older adult
• No phone or phone not capable of receiving text messages or watching videos.
• No internet for watching videos