Post on 23-Nov-2023
transcript
Chinese Immigrant Seniors: Report on the Consultation to Improve
Seniors’
Mental Well‐Being
Kanata Chinese Seniors Support Centre (KCSSC)Wen Jean Ho, KCSSC Coordinator – May 27, 2014
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• Project funded by the Government of Canada (New Horizons for Seniors Program
Community‐Based Projects) and United Way• Research supported by Alfia
Sorokina
under
the Social Planning Council of Ottawa, Community Research Initiative
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KCSSC• Voluntary‐based organization created in 2011
• Works with Chinese seniors in Kanata & Barrhaven
• Member of the Ethnocultural
Coalition sponsored by the Social Planning Council of Ottawa
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113 participants
To identify the main issues affecting Chinese seniors’
mental well‐being
KCSSC Seniors’
Consultation July – Dec 2013
To determine what type of community activities could be successful in promoting their mental wellness.
Objectives
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Why was the consultation important?
Immigrant seniors have•Particular integration needs•Higher risk of isolation
Role of ethnocultural
organizations•Best positioned to address ethnocultural
seniors’
mental well‐being •Possess the cultural and linguistic background for
mental health promotion activities•Play an essential role to bridge ethnocultural
seniors
to mainstream services available in the community5
Social Integration Essential for Mental Well‐Being
Need to recreate immigrant seniors’
social networks when they move to Canada.
There are barriers preventing seniors’ participation in community activities and
volunteer work, isolating them
LanguageFamily
responsibilitiesTime
constraintsTransportation7
Mental Health a Sensitive Topic for Chinese
• Stigma to speak about the issue and ask for help• Need for careful use of words to open the discussion
of stress and depression (e.g. sad, unhappy)
• Seniors feel safe speaking about mental health issues with their peers in informal situations
• Having a trustworthy member of the community they can talk to
• Attention to emotional problems hindering seniors’participation is key for their community involvement
* Not having a friend* Lost friends circle back home* Afraid to meet strangers* Fear of getting lost* Different value system
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What Makes Seniors Sad or Unhappy• Not speaking an official language
• Not aware of Canadian values, culture and practices
• Unable to communicate with my children’s partner and my grandchildren
• Dependency on my children for transportation,
language and financial issues
• Feeling lonely and losing my role in the extended family
Seniors want to learn about Canadian culture, values and institutions to gain understanding
of the society 9
Activities that Contribute to Seniors’
Mental Well‐Being
* Meeting with friends,* Exercising * Traveling with peers, * Recreational group activities (e.g. dancing and singing)
* Community involvement
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Opportunities for Community Volunteering are Key
* A tool to break down ethnocultural
seniors isolation* Increases seniors’
self‐worth
* Need to be adapted to their skill and ability
Type of volunteer work seniors want to do* Requesting donations from local Chinese businesses* Coordinating events and designing programs for seniors * Assisting event set‐up and take‐down* Joining community events in the mainstream society as volunteers
Seniors collaborating in the food drive to support the local food bank
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Next StepsBreaking Down Seniors’
Isolation
•Outreaching to isolated seniors •Empowering seniors to increase their participation•Strengthening seniors’
volunteer work
Addressing Barriers to Participation & Volunteer Work•Providing transportation support•Implementing English classes with practical activities •Fostering family support
Achieving Good Mental Health for Seniors•Carrying out community awareness on mental health issues•Using non‐medicalized
approaches –
peer support
•Developing a new role for seniors in the extended family•Developing creative ways to break down communication barriers between
generations (e.g. drama)•Bridging Canadian cultural values and gender roles
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Conclusion• Supporting social networks and developing a sense of belonging
through community activities and volunteer work are important to healthy living and inclusion of immigrant seniors
• The social involvement of Ottawa Chinese seniors can improve their mental well‐being despite various challenges they may
experience
• Ethnocultural
organizations need support to access resources * To provide the services immigrant seniors need to participate in community activities
* To engage seniors in volunteer work within their own communityand the community at large
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