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Environmental Characteristics Associated with Older Adults’ Social Participation: The Contribution of Sociodemography and Transportation in Metropolitan, Urban, and Rural Areas

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  • Mélanie Levasseur

    (School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pavillon Gérald-Lasalle, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
    Research Centre on Aging, Estrie Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre—Sherbrooke Hospital University Centre, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C4, Canada)

  • Daniel Naud

    (Research Centre on Aging, Estrie Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre—Sherbrooke Hospital University Centre, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C4, Canada)

  • Jean-François Bruneau

    (Interuniversity Research Centre on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transportation, Montreal, QC G1V 0A6, Canada)

  • Mélissa Généreux

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada)

Abstract

Although social participation fosters older adults’ health, little is known about which environmental characteristics are related to greater participation in social activities. The Canadian Community Health Survey ( n = 2737), a transportation survey, and multiple secondary data sources were used to identify the environmental characteristics associated with older Quebecers’ social participation according to living area. Greater social participation was associated with: (1) a higher concentration of older adults (IRR = 2.172 (95% CI 1.600, 2.948); p < 0.001), more kilometers traveled by paratransit (IRR = 1.714 (95% CI 1.286, 2.285); p < 0.01), a lack of medical clinics (IRR = 0.730 (95% CI 0.574, 0.930); p = 0.01), and more funded home adaptations (IRR = 1.170 (95% CI 1.036, 1.320); p = 0.01) in large metropolitan areas; (2) larger paratransit fleets (IRR = 1.368 (95% CI 1.044, 1.791); p = 0.02) and a lower density of road intersections (IRR = 0.862 (95% CI 0.756, 0.982); p = 0.03) in regular metropolitan areas; (3) less social deprivation (IRR = 1.162 (95% CI 1.025, 1.318); p = 0.02) in urban areas; and (4) a higher concentration of older populations (IRR = 2.386 (95% CI 1.817, 3.133); p < 0.001) in rural areas. According to these findings, social participation interventions should target the local environment—for example, by providing more social interaction opportunities for older adults living in younger neighborhoods and by improving access to public transportation, especially paratransit.

Suggested Citation

  • Mélanie Levasseur & Daniel Naud & Jean-François Bruneau & Mélissa Généreux, 2020. "Environmental Characteristics Associated with Older Adults’ Social Participation: The Contribution of Sociodemography and Transportation in Metropolitan, Urban, and Rural Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8399-:d:444389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Le Yang & Jingmin Cheng & Hongman Wang, 2021. "Place of Residence and Cognitive Function in Older Adults in China: The Mediating Role of Social Participation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Naoto Mouri & Ryuichi Ohta & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Effects of Shopping Rehabilitation on Older People’s Daily Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, January.

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