Abstract:

Background:
Social isolation is known to affect the health and wellbeing of older individuals. Immigrant older adults are at a higher risk of social isolation as compared to their non-immigrant counterparts because of immigration-related social, economic, and cultural changes and challenges that influence their sense of social connectedness. Considerable evidence also demonstrates that due to these changes and challenges, immigrants’ health deteriorates over time, which in turn, reduces their engagement in social activities, which results in an increase in their social isolation. However, limited literature was found on this topic in Canada.

Methods:
The Inclusive Communities for Older Immigrants project (that is being conducted in nine cities in Canada) aims to identify key determinants of social isolation among older immigrants, to develop interventions to improve their social connectedness. This paper presents the results from a thematic analysis of the semi-structured interview data collected with Mandarin, Punjabi, and Arabic-speaking immigrant older adults (n=47) in Toronto on how health shapes their experiences of social isolation and social connectedness, and vice versa.

Results:
Older immigrants expressed avoiding seeking health care due to social isolation. Health problems, in turn, exacerbated their social isolation, which was intensified for participants who lived in an unsafe neighborhood, had limited transportation, and/or experienced unfavorable weather conditions. Gender patterns were evident in the experiences of these social determinants of health. Study participants also shared active strategies, such as, participation in religious or spiritual activities, and use of information communication technology, that they used in order to remain socially connected and in doing so mitigate social isolation and its adverse consequences on their health and wellbeing.

Implications:
Healthcare practitioners, and social and settlement service providers must provide community-based programs that promote social connectedness among older immigrants. Other strategies include improving digital literacy skills among older immigrants to remain connected with their social networks within and beyond Canada. As well, it is vital to provide information and education to families, friends, neighbors, and members of the ethnocultural and religious groups on the importance of facilitating social connectedness for older immigrants. Future research is needed to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions.

Keywords:

Health, older immigrants, social isolation, Toronto.