JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The majority of older adults want to age in place, in their homes and communities. However, this can be challenging for many, frequently due to a lack of supports that allow for aging-in-place. Naturally occurring retirement community supportive services programs (NORC-SSPs) offer one approach to help older adults age in place. While qualitative studies have examined the experiences of NORC-SSP participants, little is known how participation in NORC-SSP programming affects participants’ social networks.

Objective:

This study aims to explore the experiences of thirteen NORC-SSP residents who participated in Oasis Senior Supportive Living (Oasis) and how participating in NORC-SSP programming, specifically based on the Oasis model, influenced their social networks.

Methods:

Participants were recruited, using convenience sampling, in in four naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) communities in Ontario, Canada. Participants had all taken part in Oasis programming. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with participants. Social network theory, as described by Berkman and colleagues, informed the interview guide and thematic analysis.

Results:

Thirteen participants (12 female, 1 male) were interviewed. These participants were from four different NORCs where Oasis had been implemented, comprising two mid-rise apartment buildings, one low-rise apartment building, and one mobile home community. Three main themes were identified from the interviews with Oasis participants: expansion and deepening of social networks, Oasis activities (something to do, someone to do it with), and the self-reported impact of Oasis on mental health and well-being (feeling and coping with life better). Participants noted that Oasis provided them with opportunities to meet new people and to broaden their social networks, both within and outside their NORCs. They also indicated that Oasis provided them with meaningful ways to spend their time, including opportunities to socialize and to try new activities. Participants stated that taking part in Oasis helped to alleviate loneliness and improved their quality of life. They noted that Oasis provided them with a reason to get up in the morning. The experiences described by participants, however, may not be reflective of all Oasis members. Those who had positive experiences may have been more likely to agree to be interviewed.

Conclusions:

Based on the participants’ interviews, Oasis is an effective aging-in-place model that has been successfully implemented in low-rise apartment buildings, mid-rise apartment buildings, and mobile home communities. Taking part in Oasis allowed participants to expand their social networks and improve their mental health and well-being. Naturally occurring retirement communities may therefore offer an ideal opportunity to build strong communities