Abstract
BackgroundSocial participation is restricted for approximately half the older adult population but is critical in fostering community vitality, promoting health, and preventing disabilities. Although targeted through interventions by community organizations, healthcare professionals and municipalities, little is known about the needs of older adults to participate socially, especially in rural areas. This study thus aimed to identify and prioritize the social participation needs of older adults living in a rural regional county municipality.MethodsA participatory action research was conducted in a rural regional county municipality (RCM) in Quebec, Canada, with a convenience sample of 139 stakeholders, including older adults, caregivers, healthcare and community organization managers, healthcare and community organization workers, community partners and key informants.ResultsFacilitators and barriers to social participation are related to personal factors (e.g., health, interests, motivation), the social environment (e.g., availability of assistance or volunteers) and the physical environment (e.g., distance to resources, recreational facilities and social partners). Nine older adults’ needs emerged and were prioritized as follows: 1) having access to and being informed about transportation options, 2) being informed about available activities and services, 3) having access to activities, including volunteering opportunities, suited to their interests, schedule, cost, language and health condition, 4) being accompanied to activities, 5) having access to meeting places near home and adapted to their health condition, and 6–9 (no preferred order) being reached when isolated, being personally invited and welcomed to activities, having a social support network, and being valued and recognized. Differences emerged when prioritizing needs of older adults with disabilities (greater need for assistance, accessibility and adapted activities) and older adults living in a rural area (greater need for transportation).ConclusionsTo promote active participation in the community, the social participation needs of older women and men living in rural areas must be addressed, especially in regard to transportation, information, adapted activities, assistance and accessibility. The first part of this action research will be followed by community selection and implementation of initiatives designed to ultimately foster their social participation.
Highlights
Social participation is restricted for approximately half the older adult population but is critical in fostering community vitality, promoting health, and preventing disabilities
To promote active participation in the community, the social participation needs of older women and men living in rural areas must be addressed, especially in regard to transportation, information, adapted activities, assistance and accessibility
The first part of this action research will be followed by community selection and implementation of initiatives designed to foster their social participation
Summary
Social participation is restricted for approximately half the older adult population but is critical in fostering community vitality, promoting health, and preventing disabilities. Social participation: among solutions to foster healthy aging Social participation is defined as a person’s involvement in activities that provide interaction with others in the community [4] In meeting their basic socialization and self-actualization needs, it is critical for retired older adults to develop abilities and make life meaningful, promote health, and prevent disabilities [5]. Interventions targeting the social participation of older adults in rural communities are currently delivered by community organizations, healthcare professionals and municipalities across Canada They take little advantage of older adults’ personal and environmental resources [8] and reach only a limited number of people [9], which increases health inequities [10]
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