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Social Isolation in Chinese Older Adults: Scoping Review for Age-Friendly Community Planning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2017

M. Anum Syed ,
Lynn McDonald ,
Corinne Smirle ,
Karen Lau ,
Raza M. Mirza  and
Sander L. Hitzig
M. Anum Syed
Affiliation:
Institute for Life Course & Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Lynn McDonald
Affiliation:
Institute for Life Course & Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Corinne Smirle
Affiliation:
Institute for Life Course & Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Karen Lau
Affiliation:
Institute for Life Course & Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Raza M. Mirza
Affiliation:
Institute for Life Course & Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Sander L. Hitzig*
Affiliation:
St. John’s Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network
*
†La correspondance et les demandes de tire-à-part doivent être adressées à : / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Sander L. Hitzig St. John’s Rehab 285 Cummer Avenue, Room B105 Toronto, ON M2M 2G1 <sander.hitzig@utoronto.ca>
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Abstract

Chinese older adults may be at increased risk of social isolation and loneliness, and a fragmented understanding exists about the challenges they face for social participation in their neighbourhoods and communities. A scoping review was undertaken to describe the current knowledge on social isolation and loneliness in urban-dwelling Chinese older adults living in Western societies to inform future research, practice, and policy in Canada. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria. The World Health Organization’s age-friendly community framework contextualized the study findings. Studies identified issues related to (1) social participation; (2) community support and health services; (3) housing; (4) community and information; (5) respect and social inclusion; (6) outdoor spaces and public buildings; (7) civic participation and employment; and (8) transportation. Social isolation and loneliness is a growing concern in this population in Canada, and additional research is needed to identify its scope and effective interventions.

Résumé

Les adultes chinois plus âgés peuvent être exposés à un risque accru d’isolement social et de solitude; pourtant, une telle compréhension des défis auxquels ils peuvent faire face pour la participation sociale dans leurs quartiers et communautés est fragmentée. Un examen de la portée a été entrepris pour décrire les connaissances actuelles sur l’isolement social et la solitude chez les aînés chinois vivant en milieu urbain dans les sociétés occidentales afin d’éclairer les recherches, les pratiques et les politiques futures au Canada. Dix-neuf articles répondent aux critères d’inclusion. Le système des communautés conçues pour les adultes vieillisantes de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé a contextualisé les résultats de l’étude. Les études ont identifié des questions liées (1) à la participation sociale; (2) au soutien communautaire et aux services de santé; (3) au logement; (4) à la communauté et à l’information; (5) au respect et à l’inclusion sociale; (6) aux espaces extérieurs et aux édifices publics; (7) à la participation civique et à l’emploi; et (8) au transport. L’isolement social et la solitude sont des préoccupations croissantes au sein de cette population au Canada, et des recherches supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour en déterminer la portée et les interventions efficaces.

Keywords

agingage-friendlyethnicityscoping reviewvieillissementfavorable aux aînésethnicitéexamen de la portée
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , June 2017 , pp. 223 - 245
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Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2017 

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Footnotes

*

Funding provided by the Government of Ontario: Grant #: 2015-01-1-72794641. The views expressed in this review reflect those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Province of Ontario. Additional funding provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada: Grant#: 895-2011-1032.

The authors thank Andrea Austen and Heath Priston (City of Toronto), Glenn Miller (Canadian Urban Institute), Adina Lebo and Lillian Wells (Toronto Council on Aging), and representatives from the Toronto Chinese Community and Culture Centre (TCCC) for their expert input on the development of this review.

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