Age-Friendly and LGBTQ2+ Friendly Community Initiatives in Canada: Preliminary Findings

Abstract Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) initiatives are gaining momentum in Canada and around the globe with many communities making commitments to becoming age-friendly. Aging lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2+) Canadians are a diverse subpopulation whose social histories and contexts may not have been considered in such initiatives. In response, many community-level organizations have created programs and supports for older LGBTQ2+ persons. Through a survey and environmental scan, we sought to identify and profile such initiatives. In addition, in-depth interviews were held with representatives from community groups to ascertain how community leaders construct and define communities that are both age and LGBTQ2+-inclusive. Participants were also asked to reflect on how their sense of community and support was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings indicated that many supports for LGBTQ2+ older adults emerged outside of formal AFC initiatives and in response to a perceived normativity among services for older adults.

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FROM PROGRAM PARTICIPANT TO AGING ADVOCATE: THEORIZING OLDER ADULTS' ROLES IN AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.097 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S26-S26

Author(s):

Emily Greenfield ◽

Laurent Reyes

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

New Jersey ◽

Community Level ◽

Professional Organizations ◽

Phase Coding ◽

Community Initiatives ◽

Program Participant ◽

Multi Phase ◽

Administrative Tasks ◽

Depth Interviews

Abstract Major professional organizations in health and aging have identified older adults’ involvement as a defining feature of aging-friendly community initiatives (AFCIs), yet there is very little research on this aspect of the initiatives. Our study utilizes five waves of data from in-depth interviews with leaders of nine AFCIs across northern New Jersey. The study was conducted as part of a multi-year, community-partnered project on the development of these philanthropically supported initiatives. Multi-phase coding yielded four types of roles for older adults: (a) program participants, (b) informants and consultants, (c) volunteers assisting with programs, events, and administrative tasks, and (d) aging-friendly champions and advocates. Across role types, AFCI leaders reflected on the challenges of engaging particular subgroups of older adults, as well as how ambivalent age identities impeded involvement. We discuss implications for advancing research and evaluation on community-level interventions that seek to simultaneously serve and empower people as they age.

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Providing care for older adults with extreme obesity in aged residential care facilities: An environmental scan

Nursing Praxis Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

10.36951/27034542.2020.012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 24-36

Author(s):

Caz Hales ◽

◽

Isaac Amankwaa ◽

Lesley Gray ◽

Helen Rook ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Residential Care ◽

Service Provision ◽

Aged Care ◽

Extreme Obesity ◽

Financial Barriers ◽

Residential Care Facilities ◽

Environmental Scan ◽

Staffing Ratios ◽

Care Facilities

Little is known about the level of service demand and preparedness of Aotearoa New Zealand’s aged residential care facilities to care for older adults with extreme obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the current state of bariatric (extreme obesity) services within aged residential care. An environmental scan was conducted to identify bariatric resident needs and gaps in service provision to inform the development of policy and service provision. Observational and interview data from three facilities in Aotearoa New Zealand was collected along with a retrospective review of national resident admissions over a three-year period. Poor environmental design that included infrastructure deficiencies and financial barriers impacted on the ability to deliver safe and equitable care for this population. Specifically, equipment procurement and safe staffing ratios were of concern to the sector. There is an increasing need for bariatric level support within aged care, necessitating more equipment and staff, adaptation of physical care environments, and enhanced funding. Significant investment is required to address care concerns of older adults with extreme obesity at government and organisational levels.

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A City Too Busy to Remember? Aging, Structural Violence, and the Politics of Forgetting in Atlanta’s Gentrification

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1266 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 393-393

Author(s):

John Pothen ◽

Keland Yip ◽

Ellen Idler

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Structural Violence ◽

Aging In Place ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

The Past ◽

Critical Theories ◽

Property Owners ◽

Ongoing Development ◽

The City ◽

Depth Interviews

Abstract Can forgotten stories from the past inform a city’s future? As older adults continue to live longer and comprise more of the population than ever before, the suitability of gentrifying spaces for older adults aging in place is increasingly important. Critical theories of gentrification argue that remembering the experiences of older adults in this context - experiences of suffering, resilience, and structural violence - is essential to promote changes in support aging in place. In this study, we tell a story of individual experiences, structural violence, and aging in the ongoing gentrification of one neighborhood in southwest Atlanta. We construct this narrative through a qualitative analysis of 1,500 local newspaper articles from 1950 to the present day and 10 in-depth interviews with ex-residents of the neighborhood aged 65-87. Drawing on the theory of planetary rent gaps, we frame gentrification as a class struggle between property-owners and working class residents. We highlight the city government’s role as a facilitator for property-owners through projects including the Model City initiative, preparation for the 1996 Olympics, and ongoing development surrounding the Atlanta BeltLine. We show how these projects have affected the prospects for aging in place in general and, specifically, by affecting access to healthcare services. We share this story in an effort to combat the politics of forgetting and to inform a richer, more inclusive, and more equitable future for gentrifying spaces.

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Understanding the Occupational Adaptation Process and Well-Being of Older Adults in Magallanes (Chile): A Qualitative Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16193640 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (19) ◽

pp. 3640 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Palma Candia ◽

HuesoMontoro ◽

Martí-García ◽

Fernández-Alcántara ◽

Campos-Calderón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Adaptation Process ◽

Occupational Adaptation ◽

Use Of Time ◽

Low Levels ◽

Interpretative Approach ◽

Depth Interviews

Background: Aging and longevity are important topics nowadays. Purpose: To describe how older adults perform the occupational adaptation process in the extreme region of Magallanes (Chile), and to identify the factors that might contribute to successful occupational adaptation and well-being. Method: Qualitative study, with a phenomenological interpretative approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 16 older adults, with high or low levels of well-being, assessed with the Ryff Scale. An inductive content analysis according to Elo and Kyngäs was performed. Findings: Resilience, self-esteem and interdependence with significant others are key elements that promote well-being. Participants develop strategies to minimize the effects of environmental factors. The occupation’s function in terms of socialization, use of time, and social participation is revealed as a conditioning factor of occupational adaptation. Implications: Interventions with older people to achieve a successful occupational adaptation process must take into consideration the commitment to meaningful activities.

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A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Brief Sense of Community Scale for Spanish-Speaking Older Adults in Puerto Rico

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.356 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 108-108

Author(s):

Tommy Buckley ◽

Kyeongmo Kim ◽

Denise Burnette

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Puerto Rico ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Sense Of Community ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Psychological Sense Of Community ◽

Spanish Speaking ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Psychological Sense

Abstract Psychological sense of community is a concept used to describe how individuals feel about their community. The Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) is an 8-item scale that includes these four domains: membership, needs fulfillment, emotional connection, and influence. It has been used in various contexts and was validated with young adults in Puerto Rico. The purpose of this study was to validate the BSCS for use with Spanish-speaking older adults in Puerto Rico. We conducted face-to-face interviews with a non-probability sample of 154 community- dwelling adults aged 60+ in Puerto Rico. BSCS is comprised of a 5-point likert-type scale with score values ranging from 0 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree) (total score range 0-32, mean= 24.75, SD= 6.04), and it showed good reliability in our sample (a=.85) and acceptable subscale reliability (membership, a=.85; needs fulfillment, a=.85; influence, a=.66; and emotional connection, a=.69). Five competing factor structures were tested based on prior research using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA indicated that a four factor structure from the original scale was the best fit (χ² (16) =25.9; p=.06; RMSEA=.06; CFI=.98; TLI=.97; SRMR=.04). The BSCS showed significant correlations in the expected direction with quality of life (r=.41), social isolation (r=.34), loneliness (r=.27) and self-rated health (r=.17). We conclude that the BSCS is a valid and reliable scale for measuring psychological sense of community with community-dwelling Spanish-speaking older adults in Puerto Rico. Future research should confirm and extend our findings with other Spanish-speaking older adult populations.

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Understanding Exercise Challenges and Barriers for Older Adults with Mobility Disabilities

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181320641308 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 1297-1301

Author(s):

Qiong Nie ◽

Lyndsie M. Koon ◽

Madina Khamzina ◽

Wendy A. Rogers

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Older People ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Quantitative Evaluation ◽

Exercise Barriers ◽

Depth Interview ◽

Physical Limitations ◽

Barriers And Challenges ◽

Depth Interviews

Interventions to address exercise challenges in older people have been the focus of recent research, given the importance of exercise for health outcomes. However, exercise challenges for older adults with mobility disabilities have received little attention. We investigated participation of exercise among older adults with mobility disabilities to understand exercise barriers and challenges experienced by this population. We conducted a needs assessment using two archival datasets: a quantitative survey with 1,137 respondents and a qualitative in-depth interview with 23 participants. The quantitative evaluation revealed low participation of walking and less engagement of vigorous activities, and significant correlates of health status and lack of energy with vigorous activities. The in-depth interviews showed exercise challenges were attributed to difficulties with physical limitations, accessibility, and environmental limitations. Individuals with mobility disabilities may face unique challenges and barriers, affordable and effective supports to promote exercise engagement for them should be adapted to such needs.

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Social integration and its relationship with functional limitations in Chilean older adults

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1185 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

L de Albuquerque Araújo ◽

G Icaza Noguera ◽

C Albala Brevis

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Integration ◽

Daily Living ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Public Policies ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Functional Limitation ◽

Lower Prevalence ◽

Community Groups ◽

Recreational Activities

Abstract We are experiencing the highest levels of life expectancy and it poses challenges in the maintenance of the functional capacity in old age. This study seeks to determine the relation between social integration and functional limitation in Chilean older adults. Cross-sectional study with baseline of two cohort studies: the SABE cohort (born before 1940) and the Alexandros cohort (born between 1940 and 1948 from Primary Health Care centers), from Santiago. Were considered 1733 elderly. Performance variables were studied in seven Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL): preparing food, managing money, leaving home alone, making purchases, making or receiving calls, doing light housework, organizing and taking medications, and six basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL): bathing, dressing, use of the bathroom, transfer, continence of urine and feeding. Having difficulties or inability to perform at least one activity was classified as having functional limitations. Social integration variables were: participation in community groups, clubs or organizations and in recreational activities. Adjustment variables were: sex, age, educational level, household income, depression, cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. Robust Poisson Regression was performed and prevalence ratios (PR) of functional limitation in ADL and IADL were reported. The level of significance was ≤0.5. Prevalence of functional limitations in ADL was 73.3% and in AIVD was 37.1%. Who participated in recreational activities have a lower prevalence of functional limitation in ADL (PR 0.85; 95%CI 0.80-0.90) and in IADL (PR 0.74; 95% CI0.63-0.86). Participation in community groups, clubs or organizations was associated with a lower prevalence of limitation in ADL (RP 0.78; 95%CI 0.71-0.87), although it was not significantly related to performance in IADL. Greater social integration in adulthood is a protective factor for limitation in ADL and IADL and should be the subject of public policies in Chile. Key messages Social integration seems to be a protective factor for functional limitation in Chilean older adults. Society and public policies should give greater opportunity for the elderly to participate in recreational activities and community groups.

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Factors Affecting the Initial Engagement of Older Adults in the Use of Interactive Technology

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18062847 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 2847

Author(s):

Lina Lee ◽

Mary Lou Maher

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Interactive Technology ◽

Key Factors ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Interactive Technologies ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Diary Studies ◽

User Focus ◽

Depth Interviews

Smart environments and the use of interactive technology has the potential to improve the quality of life for the senior community as well as to support the connections among the senior community and the world outside their community. In addition to the increasing number of studies in the field of aging and technologies, research is needed to understand the practical issues of user focus, adoption, and engagement for older adults to accept interactive technologies in their lives. In this study, we use two commercial technological interventions (uDraw and GrandPad) to understand technology-related perceptions and behaviors of older adults. We present five case studies that emerge from empirical observations of initial engagement with technology through research methods such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, observations, and diary studies. The contributions of this study are identification of the key factors that influence the initial engagement with interactive technology for older adults.

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An Experimental Education Project for Consultations of Older Adults during the Pandemic and Healthcare Lockdown

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9040425 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 425

Author(s):

Agnieszka Neumann-Podczaska ◽

Mikołaj Seostianin ◽

Konrad Madejczyk ◽

Piotr Merks ◽

Urszula Religioni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Interprofessional Education ◽

Comprehensive Evaluation ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

Education Project ◽

Experimental Education ◽

Senior Patients ◽

Further Development ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Remote Consultations

Objective: To develop a mentor-supervised, interprofessional, geriatric telemedicine experiential education project in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Medical and pharmacy students collaborated via remote consultations to address the coexistence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in geriatric patients. In-depth interviews of students and patients as well as Likert scale-based telephonic survey were performed for a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s significance. Results: To date, 49 consultations have been conducted. Remote consultations performed by medical and pharmacy students working collaboratively were beneficial for both students, participants. Conclusions and Practice Implications: This experimental education project provided students with authentic challenges while simultaneously delivering care to the older adults who are susceptible to disruption of care associated with the pandemic. Further development and expanded implementation of such approaches may be a post-pandemic practice to provide more accessible care for senior patients while incorporating interprofessional education.

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