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Housing Concerns of Vulnerable Older Canadians*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 August 2010

Lori E. Weeks  and
Kristal LeBlanc
Lori E. Weeks*
Affiliation:
University of Prince Edward Island
Kristal LeBlanc
Affiliation:
University of Prince Edward Island
*
†Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to / La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à: Lori E. Weeks, Ph.D., Department of Family & Nutritional Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown PE C1A 4P3 (lweeks@upei.ca)
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Abstract

Preparing for the future housing needs of older adults is imperative in countries with an aging population, but little is known about these issues among vulnerable older adults. This study used a qualitative approach to identify key housing concerns in this group. A total of 84 vulnerable older adults including Aboriginal elders, those with various disabilities, and ethnic minorities participated in 10 focus groups. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC’s) standards of core housing need provided a framework for data analysis, along with the identification of additional key housing themes across and within groups of vulnerable older adults. The results provide insight into preferred housing characteristics, regardless of housing form. Additionally, the results provide insight into how to support vulnerable older adults who choose to remain in their homes and communities and how to help ensure that appropriate housing is developed that meets the needs of this diverse population.

Résumé

La préparation pour les besoins futurs de logement des personnes âgées est impérative dans les pays avec des populations vieillissantes, mais peu est connu sur ces questions parmi les adultes plus âgés vulnérables. Cette étude a utilisé une approche qualitative pour identifier les préoccupations majeures au sujet de logement dans ce groupe. Un total de 84 personnes âgées vulnérables, y compris des personnes agées indigènes souffrant de divers handicaps et des minorités ethniques ont participé en 10 groupes de discussion. Les normes de besoins de logement de la Société canadienne d’hypothèques et de logement (SCHL) ont offert un cadre d’analyse de données de base, avec l’identification des thèmes de logement clés supplémentaires entre et au sein de groupes des personnes âgées vulnérables. Les résultats fournissent un aperçu sur les caractéristiques de logement préféré, indépendamment de la forme de logement. En outre, les résultats fournissent un aperçu de comment prendre en charge les adultes âgés vulnérables qui choisissent de rester dans leurs maisons et leurs communautés, et comment garantir que logement approprié est développé qui répond aux besoins de cette population diversifiée.

Keywords

logementCanada Atlantiqueindigène (autochtone)minorité ethniquehandicapshousingAtlantic CanadaAboriginalethnic minoritydisabilities
Type
Special SEDAP Section: Canada’s Vulnerable Older Populations / Section spéciale SEDAP: Les Populations âgées vulnérables du Canada: Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 29 , Issue 3 , September 2010 , pp. 333 - 347
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2010

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Footnotes

*

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada provided funding for this study. We thank the members of the Atlantic Seniors Housing Research Alliance focus group working group, moderators, graduate assistants, and focus group participants. Finally, we thank Lorraine Buck for providing editorial assistance.

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