S4AC Case Study: Enhancing Underserved Seniors' Access to Health Promotion Programs

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Community Health

Background:

• South Asian seniors in British Columbia underutilized local recreation and senior facilities.
• A suburban neighborhood had a high population of South Asian seniors.
• Existing facilities and programs were not adequately meeting the needs of this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the underutilization of senior facilities by the South Asian community.
• To develop and implement a community-based project to increase engagement in physical activity.
• To understand the barriers and facilitators to health promotion for immigrant older adults.

Main Methods:

• Case study research involving staff and participants.
• Participant observation, individual interviews, and focus groups were utilized.
• The "candidacy framework" was applied as a critical interpretive lens.

Main Results:

• The Seniors Support Services for South Asian Community (S4AC) project engaged over 100 Punjabi-speaking seniors annually in diverse exercise activities.
• Creative outreach and accommodation strategies proved effective in participant engagement.
• Findings revealed the complex, multi-level negotiation process for accessing health promotion and physical activity.

Conclusions:

• Community-specific outreach and tailored programs are crucial for engaging immigrant seniors in physical activity.
• Addressing the needs of diverse older adult populations requires collaborative efforts between municipalities and non-profit organizations.
• The "candidacy framework" offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by immigrant older adults in accessing health services.