1. Presented by Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, RN PhD School of Nursing & Centre on Aging Université de Moncton Moncton, New Brunswick Canadian Public Health Association Halifax, Nova Scotia June 2008

2.  Seniors fastest growing population group in Canada  30% of adults 65+ will change residence 7% of all seniors live in institutions (Statistics Canada, 2005)  Relocation stressful disrupts existing social networks challenges seniors to reconstitute these networks

3.  Develop an understanding of the experience of social engagement for new residents of a seniors-designated apartment building Meaning of social engagement Influential factors (social context and environmental factors) Process

4.  Qualitative focused ethnographic approach 2 months of participant-observation 20 interviews with older adults 8 interviews with staff members Document consultation Focus group

5.  Seniors-designated apartment building Urban setting (outskirts) 325 units (1 and 2 bedrooms) 7 floors with 3 elevators Laundry facility on each floor Social activities organized by activity coordinator Common lounge Dining room Public transportation at doorstep Linked to a semi-independent/dependent seniors complex Wait list of approximately 5 years

6.  Environmental influence on social engagement Community at Large Environmental and social context

7.  Provincial housing program A number of apartment units designated as subsidized units and mixed-in with full paying tenants  Community profile Homogeneous community  Seniors’ housing No formal system for “checking” on tenants No coordinated wait list Few buildings have a paid activity coordinator

8.  The building Reputation Conveniences offered Renovated suites (more expensive for less independent seniors)  Inside the building Physical features (places to sit, location of lounges, distances) Character of the community (realities of aging) The staff (friendly, paid activity coordinator) The tenants (female, Anglophone, nicely dressed) Social context/Culture (happiness, comfort, social expectations, individuality at risk) The activities (weekly newsletter, newcomers’ tea, sit same place) The physical environment (dining room, size of bldg)

9.  Seniors’ housing “a disorganized system”  Vulnerability  Environment transmits normative symbolic messages to new tenants  Confrontation with aging

10. Questions / Comments Dr Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, RN PhD Professor – School of Nursing Director – Research Centre on Aging Université de Moncton Moncton, N.B. E1A 3E9 Phone: (506) 858-4260 suzanne.dupuis-blanchard@umoncton.ca Acknowledgments: - Province of Alberta Graduate Fellowship – University of Alberta - Sigma Theta Tau International, Mu Sigma Chapter - Dr Anne Neufeld, PhD and Dr Vicki Strang, PhD – University of Alberta - Université de Moncton