This one day in person workshop will address an important gap in understanding the community-based support systems that promote healthy aging and quality of life among older adults in rural northern British Columbia. While older adults increasingly rely on community supports to remain independent and age in place, there is limited research examining which supports are most valued, how accessible they are, and where gaps exist in rural and northern communities. This workshop presents an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between researchers, community organizations, older adults, caregivers, and service providers to better understand the local realities of aging in rural northern BC.
The workshop will be hosted at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) South-Central Campus, Quesnel, BC. The event will include a brief overview presentation on healthy aging and community support systems, facilitated small-group discussions, and collaborative priority-setting activities focused on identifying strengths, barriers, service gaps, and opportunities for future research and community action.
Participants will include community-dwelling older adults, family caregivers, Quesnel & District Hospice Palliative Care Association (QDHPCA) staff and volunteers, researchers, representatives from community organizations including North Cariboo Seniors’ Council and Quesnel Seniors’ Centre, and local stakeholders involved in supporting older adults in Quesnel and surrounding rural communities. Efforts will be made to ensure participation from individuals with lived and living experience of aging, caregiving, social isolation, and navigating community supports in rural settings.
The anticipated outcomes of the activity include increased understanding of the community-based support systems that older adults and caregivers consider most important for healthy aging and quality of life; identification of local gaps, barriers, and unmet needs; strengthened partnerships between researchers and community organizations; and the co-development of future research priorities and knowledge mobilization activities focused on rural healthy aging in British Columbia. The workshop will also support the development of a community-informed foundation for future collaborative research and funding applications focused on aging well in rural and northern communities.
Additional team members and participating organizations:
University of Northern British Columbia
Quesnel & District Hospice Palliative Care Association
North Cariboo Seniors’ Council, Quesnel