OBJECTIVE: Explore the needs and the degree of satisfaction of Francophone seniors living in a minority socio-linguistic urban community in regards to aging-in-place. METHOD: An ethnographic case study was conducted in an urban community in the province of New Brunswick between October 2010 and June 2011. Individual interviews were completed with leaders of different community organizations (n=9) and focus groups were held with socio-linguistic minority French-speaking older adults (n=19). RESULTS: Francophone seniors explained their willingness to age-in-place; however, the lack of services and support in the community makes aging-in-place difficult. Despite this identified absence of services, leaders of various community organizations have no plans to review current services in order to facilitate better quality of life for seniors. CONCLUSION: Aging-in-place for French-speaking seniors living in socio-linguistic minority communities requires concerted efforts from family members, the community and the government. The Ottawa Charter of Health clearly states housing as a prerequisite of health. Housing and social support are important determinants of health. Therefore, the development and implementation of a public policy with regard to seniors, and particularly those in a socio-linguistic minority, seems fundamental in the context of population aging.
OBJECTIVE: Explore the needs and the degree of satisfaction of Francophone seniors living in a minority socio-linguistic urban community in regards to aging-in-place. METHOD: An ethnographic case study was conducted in an urban community in the province of New Brunswick between October 2010 and June 2011. Individual interviews were completed with leaders of different community organizations (n=9) and focus groups were held with socio-linguistic minority French-speaking older adults (n=19). RESULTS: Francophone seniors explained their willingness to age-in-place; however, the lack of services and support in the community makes aging-in-place difficult. Despite this identified absence of services, leaders of various community organizations have no plans to review current services in order to facilitate better quality of life for seniors. CONCLUSION: Aging-in-place for French-speaking seniors living in socio-linguistic minority communities requires concerted efforts from family members, the community and the government. The Ottawa Charter of Health clearly states housing as a prerequisite of health. Housing and social support are important determinants of health. Therefore, the development and implementation of a public policy with regard to seniors, and particularly those in a socio-linguistic minority, seems fundamental in the context of population aging.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aging; home support services; housing; independence; minority groups