Food Security in Older Adults: Community Service Provider Perceptions of Their Roles

• Published in: Canadian journal on aging Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 317 - 328
• Main Authors: Keller, Heather H, Dwyer, John J. M, Edwards, Vicki, Senson, Christine, Edward, H. Gayle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada University of Toronto Press 2007
• Subjects: Advocacy; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Attitudes; Canada; Caregivers; Community Health Services; Community Services; Comparative Analysis; Focus Groups; Food; Food Services - organization & administration; Geriatric Assessment; Health Education; Health Promotion; Health Services for the Aged; Humans; Hunger; Older Adults; Ontario; Role; Security (Psychology); Social Class; Social Environment; Social Services; Social Support; Canada; Ontario
• ISSN: 0714-9808; 1710-1107
• DOI: 10.3138/cja.26.4.317

Food insecurity in older adults is influenced by financial constraints, functional disability, and isolation. Twenty-eight social- and community-service providers participated in four focus groups to report (a) perceptions and experiences with food insecurity in their older clients, (b) beliefs about their potential role(s) in promoting food security, and (c) opinions about constraints that influenced these roles. A constant comparison analysis identified key themes. The formal caregivers reported six roles for improving food security: (a) monitoring, (b) coordination, and (c) promoting services, (d) education, (e) advocacy, and (f) providing a social environment. The final theme summarizes these roles as "the need for personalization of service". Social and community service providers are involved in roles that can promote the health of older adults by addressing their food insecurity. Social service providers need to be acknowledged and supported in this health promotion role.