C2 Healthy Aging

C2 Healthy Aging

About

An integrated and inclusive care approach is needed to promote healthy aging for all. In the Fraser Health region, half of the population are visible minorities, and 60% of the population are South Asian and Chinese. To ensure culturally inclusive and integrated care, this project brings together health care staff, community organization partners, South Asian and Chinese older adults, and families using an appreciative inquiry approach and World Café-style workshops to discuss ideas that can empower communities and increase health system capacity.

Purpose

This project aims to engage South Asian and Chinese older adults, families, healthcare providers, community organization partners, and researchers to 1) co-design a community workshop and 2) learn about participants’ values, experiences, and ideas on how to build a culturally inclusive healthy aging community. Through the collection of feedback in small group discussion, we aim to gain a better understanding of which areas require improved support, in order to build a community-informed model that meets the needs of South Asian and Chinese older adults. We hope to help empower older adults to live healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives, and to better voice their needs, preferences, strengths, and visions. This collaborative effort strives to strengthen the connections between healthcare, culture, and social determinants of health by co-developing innovative ideas that inform both current collaborations and future initiatives.

Key participants in the workshop include:

  • South Asian and Chinese Older adults and families (in particular, groups that speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, and Hindi)
  • Healthcare providers, staff, and administrators
  • Community-based seniors service providers, staff, and administrators
  • Researchers

Project Outcomes

  • Insights into the emotional, practical, and relational value of tiny social robots.
  • Recommendations for inclusive, co-designed approaches to robot development.
  • Research publications, knowledge translation resources, and strategies for integrating robots into aging services.

Principal Investigator: Lillian Hung

Core Team Members:

  • Dr. Grace Park, Home and Community Health, Fraser Health 
  • Shereen Tang, IDEA Lab, University of British Columbia 
  • Margaret Lin, IDEA Lab/Home and Commuinity Health, University of British Columbia/ Fraser Health 
  • Lily Haopu Ren, IDEA Lab, University of British Columbia 
  • Lily Wong, Older Adult Partner 
  • Alex Fung, InterCultural Online Health Network (iCON), University of British Columbia 
  • Zarif Akbarian, MOSAIC Burnaby 
  • Sherry Shen, MOSAIC Burnaby 
  • Justine Tsui, Burnaby Neighbourhood House 
  • Roman Bhangoo, South Asian Health Institute (SAHI), Fraser Health 
  • Varinder Brar, South Asian Health Institute (SAHI), Fraser Health 
  • Osob Mohamed, Health Equity and Community Engagement, Fraser Health 
  • Jacky Leung, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 
  • Mandeep Minhas, DIVERSEcity Surrey 
  • Lin Lin, DIVERSEcity Surrey