Seniors and Recreational Opportunities 2

After the influence of the baby boomers, the second powerful demographic shift in the seniors’ population is immigration and the resulting cultural diversity. Starting a new life in Canada is challenging for most new immigrants but for older adults and seniors whose first language is not English, this transition can be especially difficult.

Without the structure and daily interaction that school or employment may provide, older adults and seniors may struggle to form connections in their new community. Understandably, many rely on their younger family members to provide language translation and assistance navigating the system, but over time, that dependence can increase social isolation for the older adult. The ability to access support services and affordable opportunities for learning, recreation and social engagement is vital to a positive transition to living in Canada for many new immigrant older adults and seniors.

Segments of the older adult and senior population will continue to experience challenges and constraints to meaningful recreation participation. To put it simply: a constraint intervenes between the desire to participate and actual participation. These can be summarized into five main categories and can be understood as either a personal constraint or a constraint caused by a systemic barrier:

· Financial: There is increasing income disparity within the senior demographic. The assumption that all seniors require some form of subsidy due to a low, fixed income needs further examination. Sixteen percent of Coquitlam’s 65+ population has low income (LIM-AT) and a large proportion of seniors living in poverty are single women.

· Limited knowledge of available recreation resources: Information about recreation resources may not be available, relevant, or provided in a timely manner.

· Transportation: Seniors need to be able to easily and safely get to and from a recreation centre, park or an event.

· Health and activity limitations: Approximately half of Coquitlam seniors have health and activity limitations that impact their full participation in recreation.

· Isolation and loneliness: Many seniors live alone; the number of isolated or lonely seniors is unknown. Seniors who are new to Canada may encounter language and other cultural barriers. The risk of becoming socially isolated and disconnected from community life increases significantly for seniors who experience one or more of these challenges and constraints. Seniors with low social support are less likely than were those with high social support to report positive self-perceived health and are more likely to be dissatisfied with life. Having a friend to participate with can make all the difference.