NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, North Slave Region

Tags: health, social sciences, health care, elders

Objective(s): To learn about the health status of older adults, access to, and use of health services in Inuvik and Yellowknife to inform culturally-relevant, community-led programs for caregivers and older adults in NWT.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.4695. The research team aim to learn about the health status of older adults, access to, and use of health services in Inuvik and Yellowknife to inform culturally-relevant, community-led programs for caregivers and older adults in NWT. The objectives include: 1) Hearing from Indigenous older adults (aged 50+) about experiences with health and health care services through one-on-one interviews. 2) Hearing from caregivers, healthcare providers, and community leaders on the best ways support Indigenous older adults through sharing circles and key informant interviews. 3) Sharing the information with community members and partners. 4) Using the information to inform wellness activities that are useful and applicable for the community. To date, the team has completed 71 one-on-one interviews, 12 key informant interviews, and 4 caregivers through a sharing circle in Inuvik. In 2020 the team will complete an additional 10 one-one-one and 10 key informant interviews, 2 sharing circles in Yellowknife and Inuvik, and will meet with communities to discuss the findings and next steps for using the information. Communities in the NWT identified the need for greater support and care for Indigenous seniors. This study is in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services, the former and current Chief Public Health Officer, local community members, leaders and decision-makers. The team has consulted extensively with the Community Advisory Board (CAB), which is made up of community members from Yellowknife and Inuvik and individuals who have extensive experience working with Indigenous seniors. Participants for one-on-one interviews include all self-identified Indigenous women and men who are over 50 years of age. 71 older adults have already taken part and an additional 10 interviews are proposed to take place in 2020. Interviews with seniors take place at community gathering spaces while the team members are in the community. The interviews are conducted by trained staff, guided by CAB members, in a convenient and confidential space. Twenty two people will be invited to participate in the key informant interviews. 12 key informants have already taken part, and 10 more are proposed to take place in 2020. Key stakeholders and people involved in health services and programs for Indigenous seniors will be asked to share about what is happening now, and ideas for the future. With the permission of participants, sessions will be recorded. Sharing circles give caregivers, family members, and community members a chance to share ideas for caring for Indigenous seniors. Participants may share ideas about barriers Indigenous older adults can face with healthcare services, and community-based opportunities for improving services including wellness activities. With the permission of participants, sessions will be recorded. The team will host community gatherings to present the findings from the data collection and brainstorm ideas for the development of a community wellness program. All findings will be shared with communities. This research will be successful if it assists communities in learning more about the health and wellbeing of older adults, improves the promotion of healthy lifestyles and practices, and encourages more community-based programs. Consultation with CAB members from 2017 has informed the team’s communication strategy. A draft report based on the findings has been prepared and will be presented to all partners and interested groups when data collection is finished. A final report and presentation will be prepared and shared in multiple ways, including at community gatherings in 2020. Additional methods of communication may include radio shows, videos, short reports or briefs, online materials, and other options. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from January 20, 2020 to December 31, 2020.