Indigenous perspectives on healthy aging in the Yukon

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Indigenous Health Research
• Community Health

Background:

• The AVOID Frailty model is a framework for assessing and managing frailty.
• Indigenous populations have unique perspectives on health and wellness shaped by culture and environment.
• Understanding these perspectives is crucial for developing culturally relevant health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather feedback on the AVOID Frailty model from Indigenous Elders and older adults in Yukon.
• To explore Indigenous perspectives on healthy aging within the Yukon context.
• To identify necessary adaptations for the AVOID Frailty model to align with Indigenous ways of knowing.

Main Methods:

• Study employed Indigenous research methodologies and Two-Eyed Seeing principles.
• Guided conversations were conducted with 42 participants aged 55+ across four Yukon communities.
• An Elder co-author guided the research process.

Main Results:

• Participants identified Activity, Interaction, and Diet as key to healthy aging, often reframed in relational and place-based terms.
• Wellness was strongly linked to connection with land, traditional foods, intergenerational responsibility, and community.
• The AVOID model's focus on individual behavior and disease prevention did not fully capture these collective and cultural dimensions.

Conclusions:

• The AVOID Frailty model requires adaptation to incorporate the collective, relational, and cultural aspects of Indigenous health and wellness.
• A strengths-based approach, rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, is necessary for effective frailty management in Indigenous communities.
• Future interventions should prioritize community, land, and cultural connections for promoting healthy aging among Indigenous older adults.