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Caregiving for Elders in First Nations Communities: Social System Perspective on Barriers and Challenges*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2012

Sonja Habjan ,
Holly Prince  and
Mary Lou Kelley
Sonja Habjan
Affiliation:
Lakehead University
Holly Prince*
Affiliation:
Lakehead University
Mary Lou Kelley
Affiliation:
Lakehead University
*
†Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to / La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à: Holly Prince, M.S.W. Lakehead University Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health 955 Oliver Road Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1 (hprince@lakeheadu.ca)
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Abstract

This research examined the perspectives and experiences of First Nations community members regarding health and social support for elderly people living in 13 First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario. Surveys (n = 216) and focus groups (n = 70) were conducted in 2005 and 2006 with elderly Aboriginal people and their formal and informal caregivers. Results indicated a strong preference (69%) for helping people to age and die at home; however, barriers and challenges existed at the family, community, health system, and social policy levels. Barriers included a lack of family caregivers and shortage of health care providers and programs; changing community values; and limited access to provincial health services and culturally relevant and safe care, all of which hindered social policy and community empowerment. Enabling elderly people to age within First Nations communities will require multi-level and multi-sectoral system changes.

Résumé

Cette recherche a examiné les perspectives et les expériences des membres de la communauté des Premières Nations concernant le soutien sanitaire et social pour les personnes âgées demeurant dans 13 nations du nord-ouest de l’Ontario. Des enquêtes (n = 216) et des groupes de discussion (n = 70) ont été menées en 2005 et 2006 avec les peuples autochtones aînés et leurs aidants formels et informels. Les résultats ont indiqué une forte préférence (69%) pour aider les gens à vieillir et mourir à domicile ; pourtant les obstacles et les défis existaient aux niveaux de la famille, de la communauté, du système de santé, et de la politique sociale. Il s’agissait notamment d’un manque d’aidants proches, des ressources locales humaines et de la santé, les valeurs changeants à travers de la communauté, et d’un accès limité aux services de santé provinciaux et des soins adaptés à la culture et à la sécurité des personnes âgées, tous ce qui a entravé la politique sociale et l’autonomisation des communautés. Un meilleur soutien qui permet aux personnes âgées de vieillir au sein des communautés des Premières Nations exigera des changements du système à plusieurs niveaux et à plusieurs secteurs.

Keywords

vieillissementaînésprestation de soinsPremières Nationsla santé autochtoneagingelderlycaregivingFirst NationsAboriginal health
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , June 2012 , pp. 209 - 222
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2012

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Footnotes

*

We thank the community members and the leadership of participating First Nations communities who shared their knowledge and experiences with researchers. We also thank our organizational partners, Kenora Chiefs Advisory and the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, for providing their support and guidance to the project. In addition, we thank Tricia McGuire Adams for her assistance in the early stages of article development, and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for their financial support of this research.

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