Background: It is a challenge to promote exercise among older persons. Knowledge is needed regarding the maintenance of exercise aiming at preventing falls and promoting health and wellbeing in older persons.
Purpose: This descriptive study used a qualitative inductive approach to describe older persons’ experiences of a fall-preventive, home-based exercise programme with support for behavioural change.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve older persons aged 75 years or older, and a qualitative content analysis was performed.
Results: Four categories emerged: facilitators of performing exercise in everyday life, the importance of support, perceived gains from exercise, and the existential aspects of exercise.
Conclusion: With support from physiotherapists, home-based exercise can be adapted to individual circumstances in a meaningful way. By including exercises in everyday life and daily routines could support the experience of being stronger, result in better physical functioning and give hope for an extended active life in old age.