Food security in older adults: community service provider perceptions of their roles.
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.
Keller
Heather H
HH
Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON. hkeller@uoguelph.ca
Dwyer
John J M
JJ
Edwards
Vicki
V
Senson
Christine
C
Gayle Edward
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D003153:Community Health Services; D017144:Focus Groups; D005502:Food; D005522:Food Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006266:Health Education; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support