Attendant’s experience with the personalized citizen assistance for social participation (APIC)

BMC Geriatrics

Mélanie Levasseur¹  Karine Gagnon¹ 

[1] Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th, Avenue North, J1H 5N4, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada;Research Centre on Aging, Eastern Townships Integrated University Centre for Health & Social Services—Sherbrooke Hospital University Centre, 1036, Belvedere Street South, J1H 4C4, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada;

关键词: Community participation;    Individualized assistance;    Aging;    Community integration;    Health promotion;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-020-01897-x

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundTo promote healthy aging, the social participation needs of older adults must be better met. Previous studies have shown the benefits of the Personalized citizen assistance for social participation (APIC), but few explored its influence on attendants. This study explored the assistance experience of attendants in providing the APIC to older adults with disabilities.MethodsA qualitative design inspired by a phenomenological approach was used with six female attendants who participated in individual interviews.ResultsThe APIC attendants felt useful, developed meaningful relationships with their older adults, and improved their self-knowledge. Attendants had the opportunity to reflect on their lives and self-aging. They contributed to older adults’ functional independence, motivation, and participation in social activities. Attendants encountered challenges related to withdrawn behavior in older adults, such as refusing to participate in activities.ConclusionsConsidering the identified benefits of the APIC for attendants, further studies should explore personalized assistance to preserve older adults’ health.

【 授权许可】

CC BY