Recently, I attended a meeting at a local Neighborhood House in Crescent Beach B.C. The meeting was called to explore ways of increasing benefits to the community through the creation of an Older Adults Advisory Group. At the top of the list of goals provided by the organization was “Focus on volunteerism, knowledge sharing and social participation/meaningful contribution with older adults. partly based on the fact that North American society will soon be experiencing a “boom” in the growth of our senior’s population
While the Neighborhood House has existed for several years they still have a relatively small level of senior’s participation. In the process of seeking to find out more about their community Neighberhood House is applying for a Federal grant. Their objectives are:
- Promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations
- Engaging seniors in the community through mentoring others, and
- Supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors
Our company Community Building: Research and Action, has also been looking for ways to investigate and encourage older peoples’ involvement with volunteer groups in their community. Finding out about this can also benefit the Langley Senior’s Resource Centre where I am on the Board.
Research
First, I decided to find research that examines the level of seniors’ self views and levels of community participation.
I found two articles related to these ideas. The first explores Perceptions of Elderly Self-Neglect[i]. There has not been a lot of research studying older peoples’ self neglect. (After reading the article I can understand why.) First of all there is no universal definition of what behaviors of self-neglect mean except that they are a variety of neglect. The researchers’ first step was to design a survey of behaviors or situations that might describe self-neglect. Below are several items that relate to the general topic. As you read them remember that there is no universal agreement on the meaning of self-neglect. In the complete survey there are 22 items, most of which do not explicitly mention social connections. The ones below do: · An elderly individual avoids friends, family, or social events
· An elderly individual has three or four alcoholic drinks at social occasions only.
· An elderly individual who is not allowed in his or her children’s home
Social Isolation
What are some factors associated with of social isolation? To clarify things the authors of the article acknowledge that older people can and do make “…crucial contributions” to the communities in which they reside. The research challenge here is to find out how many seniors who live alone are vulnerable due to social isolation. It also looks at other factors such as poverty, disabilities and linguistic isolation. The research was carried out in New York City. All of the respondents were 75+ years old.
The researchers using the New York
Census found that:
- 35% of those who were 75+ were living alone
- 30% were living in poverty
- In many census tracts, 88% of those over 65 are living with one or more disabilities.
I need to acknowledge that there may be major differences between neighborhoods in BC’s Lower Mainland. Only research can tell.
Social Relationships
Other questionnaires have also be designed to investigate
community involvement, Here is the first one
Community Involvement Survey #1
This community involvement survey, which has been designed to help quantify the impact members, have on the economic, social, and cultural health of the community;
This survey is designed to take just a few minutes to complete/
Thank you for your assistance
1. Are you currently involved in any community organizations/groups as a volunteer? Social Isolation
What are some factors associated with of social isolation? To clarify things the authors of the article acknowledge that older people can and do make “…crucial contributions” to the communities in which they reside. The research challenge here is to find out how many seniors who live alone are vulnerable due to social isolation. It also looks at other factors such as poverty, disabilities and linguistic isolation. The research was carried out in New York City. All of the respondents were 75+ years old.
The researchers using the New York
Census found that:
- 35% of those who were 75+ were living alone
- 30% were living in poverty
- In many census tracts, 88% of those over 65 are living with one or more disabilities.
I need to acknowledge that there may be major differences between neighborhoods in BC’s Lower Mainland. Only research can tell.
Yes____ No____ (If no please go to question 7
2. How many community organizations/groups are you currently involved with as a volunteer?
1____ 2_____ 3_____ 4______ 5______ More_______
3. What is the focus of the organizations/groups that you support through your volunteer work? Check all that apply.
Arts____
Cultural_____
Education/school____
Healthcare___
International Aid____
Political___
Service Club ___
Sports/recreation___
Spiritual/Religious__
Other (please specify) ____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is your role in your volunteer activities/ Check all that apply:
Coach
Consultant
Fundraiser
Member
Mentor/teacher
Special events
Other (please specify)
5. On the average how many total hours per month do you spend volunteering in community activities?
1-5 hours_____ 6 to 10 hours_____ 11-15 hours____
6. Do you support community organizations through donations? If yes, check all that apply.
Arts_____
Cultural___
Education/school___
Healthcare___
International aid___
Political__
Service Club___
Social Service___
Sports/ recreation___
Spiritual/Religious___
Other (please specify) _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. If you are not currently volunteering are you planning to begin in the coming year?
Yes____
No ____
The next questionnaire asks for even more details:
Pre and Post Adventure Experience Community Involvement Questionnaire #2
(Revised)
For all questions, 1 represents strongly agree, 2 Agree, 3 Neutral, 4 Disagree, 5 Strongly Disagree
1. I have a leadership role in a community organization.
1 2 3 4 5
2. I have made new friends as a result of participation in a community group.
1 2 3 4 5
3. I believe my community is important.
1 2 3 4 5
4. I have mentored someone from my community.
1 2 3 4 5
5. I have received recognition for my contributions to my community.
1 2 3 4 5
6. Someone from my community has mentored me.
1 2 3 4 5
" Constructed by Norm Staunton An exercise for KIN 900, UNH, fall 2001
Summary
There is a lot we need to know about relationships between older persons and their relationship to their community. Where do you fit in?
[i] S.N. San Filippo et al (2007) Perceptions of Elderly Self-Neglect: A Look at Culture and Cohort, Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal
, Vol 35, 215-229
