The SEII project focusses on determinants of health and inclusion elements because there is a significant body of knowledge that emphasise these as important influences on individual health status and social well being. The following table identifies three major determinants of health on which the SEII project focusses and how each determinant is related to ‘distancing’ factors in the lives of isolated youth and seniors in the Central West region.
Source: “Closing the Distance for Youth and Seniors in Central West Ontario” (Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo and Community Partners 2003).
Determinants of Health |
Social/Economic Distancing Domains |
Social Support Networks |
Social Environments |
Physical Environment |
Economic
reducing gaps in income that create inequities in the sharing of society’s wealth and that has forced unprecedented numbers of people into poverty. |
Declining income may result in less opportunities for seniors to be in contact with family, friends and participate in social, recreation and community activities. |
|
Seniors have a lessening of choice due to the increased cost of living. Some seniors may face the issue of running out of funds because of living expenses (e.g. rent, retirement homes). Some seniors may need to move to new locations.
Some seniors may have an increase in income due to the selling of assets (e.g. farm,
house) and may move to new locations.
|
Spatial
making public space more accessible to all community members and providing services in proximity to people with health and social support needs. |
Movement of seniors from rural to urban or vice versa may result in loss of networks of social support (e.g. church, clubs, neighbours, family, friends, etc.).
Movement of families from urban to rural settings may lead to distance from the local area.
Youth in rural settlements lack support of adults to keep them focused and provide them with transportation to social and recreational activities.
Youth are discouraged from using transportation systems (e.g. bus in urban areas, car in rural areas) in both rural and suburban areas. |
Movement of seniors from rural to urban or vice versa may lead to distance from the local areas that have supported them.
Youth discouraged from gathering in public spaces and gathering with friends without adults present. Reveals a distrusting of youth.
Closing of public spaces (e.g. churches, community centers) results in less opportunities for youth to connect with others. |
Lack of public spaces; closing of churches, community centers.
Land use planning is effecting people.
Seniors in rural settlements - limited access to home health and social support, transportation services.
Youth in rural settlements - access to social and recreational activities, lack
public transportation.
Unsafe environments for youth to gather (e.g. parks). |
Relational
promoting positive relationships among groups and individuals within communities and across sectors so that all identify with, feel they belong to, and are part of the community. |
Seniors are increasingly dependent on others
Seniors have a loss of social support networks due to relocation, loss of loved ones, etc.
Youth lack supervision and support from families.
There is an absence of adult presence in the lives of youth - Due to a number of factors (such as longer commuting time for parents).
There is a distrusting of youth by adults.
Informal networks are eroding and not being given opportunities to form. |
Youth are disconnected from their communities.
There is an erosion of formal support systems for all. |
Seniors are disconnected from communities due to changing land use planning.
Seniors who move to rural settings from urban areas have a limited support system.
The closing of churches, and community centers in both urban and rural areas have reduced the opportunities for seniors to maintain relationships.
The historical strength and community structure is becoming weakened with the closing of churches and community centers.
Youth may feel like they do not belong in their communities, because they are discouraged from gathering in public places. |
Functional
recognizing and valuing the worth and contributions of all members of the community and investing in the growth and developmental potential of all in highly adaptive and innovative ways. |
Lack social support to use their strengths and develop capacity.
Youth lack social support to use their strengths and capacities.
Seniors may experience a loss of self-sufficiency and ability to care for themselves. Retirement may result in feelings of identity loss.
Youth are distrusted and not valued for their strengths and capacities. |
Youth in rural communities lack job opportunities for skill development and income; few rural businesses.
Institutions and formal systems may intimidate seniors. |
Loss of public spaces and safety issues result in less opportunities for youth to develop skills and recognize capacities. |
Participation, empowerment (political)
ensuring that the structures and processes are in place so that everyone has a “voice” in the planning and decision-making that affects their quality of life. |
Seniors are not supported by social networks to actively participate in decision making.
Seniors may be confused by the health care system and may choose to opt out of the system and not participate due to fear of institutionalization.
There is a fear of youth gathering on their own without adults present.
Youth are not supported by social networks to actively participate in decision making. |
Seniors have a greater need for social and health care systems.However, they may choose to opt out of systems to protect themselves from institutionalization.
Seniors are less involved in civic life.
Youth have less involvement in civic life. |
Policies and bylaws that discourage youth from gathering in public spaces - do not promote youth to become engaged in civic life. |