Heatwole Shank Kendra S, Kenley Benjamin, Brown Stacy, Shipley Jenna, Baum Maya, Beers Chloe
Can J Occup Ther. 2020 Feb;87(1):21-29. doi: 10.1177/0008417419838360. Epub 2019 Apr 25.
BACKGROUND.: Low-income older adult populations have increased vulnerability to occupational engagement barriers and poor health outcomes while aging in community settings.
PURPOSE.: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between community navigation and well-being for low-income older adults.
METHOD.: Community-dwelling older adults ( = 10) were recruited for this multimethod observational cohort study, which employed GPS data, measures of well-being, and semistructured interviews across 12 months. Grounded theory processes were followed to analyze and integrate the qualitative, quantitative, and spatial data.
FINDINGS.: Findings were three patterns of community navigation. In particular, patterns of being chronically underoccupied were noted for this low-income population. Specific place-based challenges are explained along with strategies used to mitigate these challenges.
IMPLICATIONS.: Supporting community navigation, especially social interaction opportunities, can maximize well-being; and older residents' occupational participation may be unnecessarily curtailed by geographic, economic, and social factors beyond their control. Community navigation strategies should be considered holistically by occupational therapists as part of interventions supporting aging in place.
低收入老年人群体在社区环境中老龄化时，更容易受到职业参与障碍的影响，健康状况也较差。
本研究旨在探讨社区导航与低收入老年人幸福感之间的关系。
招募了10名居住在社区的老年人参与这项多方法观察性队列研究，该研究在12个月内采用了GPS数据、幸福感测量方法和半结构化访谈。遵循扎根理论方法来分析和整合定性、定量和空间数据。
发现了三种社区导航模式。特别是，该低收入人群存在长期活动不足的模式。解释了具体的基于地点的挑战以及用于缓解这些挑战的策略。
支持社区导航，尤其是社交互动机会，可以最大化幸福感；老年人的职业参与可能会因他们无法控制的地理、经济和社会因素而不必要地受到限制。职业治疗师应将社区导航策略作为支持就地养老干预措施的一部分进行全面考虑。
