Training and supervision of the OT and PMs

Training and continued oversight of the HS and HE programmes and support of the OT and PMs was provided by experienced OEP and Westmead trainers (DAS and CB). The OT was trained to introduce the HE programme to patients at their HS assessment.

Volunteer PMs were aged 60 years or older and lived near the participants and were trained using the Senior Peer Mentor Physical Activity Programme for Older People [23]. Volunteers were recruited through word of mouth and from the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Manchester [24]. Before they agreed to take part they were informed about the study and the inclusion criteria. Inclusion/exclusion criteria for PMs: PMs needed to be physically active, cognitively intact, willing to have a criminal record check as they would be working with vulnerable older people, and willing to commit to the study for 6 months. Seventeen mentors were recruited, 16 attended training following which four withdrew explaining, for example, that they did not have the time. A 2-day training course was run by members of the research team (RMEL and DAS). The training included specific guidelines on home visits to aid adherence and also how to join the participants in the exercises (PMs did not instruct on the actual exercises nor offer advice on HS modifications). PMs were indemnified by the sponsor organisation. PMs received a fee for attending meetings and training days and could claim for travel expenses [25]. Each mentor was assigned one or two participants.