Social Factors Affecting the Well-Being and Mental Health of Elderly Iranian Immigrant Women in Canada

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health comprises three domains, namely emotional well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being. One’s well-being and mental health are affected by many factors including immigration. One of the most important factors for immigrants is losing control over their lives and familiar connections. This situation influences their mental health and well-being. Therefore the integration process may be delayed.

Main Body: In Canada the number of seniors is projected to increase from 4.2 to 9.8 million between 2005 and 2036, representing an increase from 13.2 to 24.5 % of the total population (Statistics Canada, 2006, http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/index-eng.cfm; Statistics Canada, 2008, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/research-stats/facts2008.pdf). According to Statistics Canada (2006), more than 80 % of Iranian seniors in Canada live in a metropolitan area. To understand the needs of elderly Iranian women, narrative inquiry was used. As well, semi-structured and open-ended interviews were conducted with eight females aged 65 and above. Themes such as community-based activities, English proficiency, volunteering, socio-economic status, and marital and immigration status were identified as significant factors contributing to the mental health and well-being of the elderly Iranian women.

Discussion: Being connected with one’s own ethnic community has a positive effect on promoting one’s mental health, well-being, and satisfaction with life. In this study, social activity and involvement in one’s ethnic community were considered as leading factors in one’s well-being. Analysis of data showed a multi-layered, intertwined, and overlap** phenomenon. However, volunteer work and involvement in social and community-based activities were found to be the leading positive factors that contributed to the well-being of elderly Iranian women.

Implications: The results of this study help the elderly, their families, and therapists understand the social needs of this specific population. Moreover, the outcomes of this study help to provide effective and supportive services at the individual, group, and community levels, as well with policy formation, education, and research.

Response

• Afkham Mardukhi 

1. Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario (IWOO), Toronto, ON, Canada

   Afkham Mardukhi

The Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario (IWOO) is committed to providing mental health and wellness support services to the elderly population in our newcomer community. The IWOO is a registered, not-for-profit organization established in Toronto, Canada, in 1989. IWOO is an association of volunteer women dedicated to improving the lives of the Iranian women and Iranian families. We collaborate with our community partners in social and human service organizations and academia to research the needs and identify appropriate strategies to accommodate them. A collaboration with Dr. Mahdieh Dastjerdi from York University resulted in a comprehensive study and identified needs of the Farsi speaking elderly and gaps in providing services for them.

Dr. Dastjerdi’s study reemphasized the importance of connections and networking opportunities within people’s own ethnic community and its direct impact on their mental health, quality of life, and wellness. Findings provided us with a more in-depth understanding to examine our service gaps.

The issues and challenges faced by elders refocused us in our programming. We included seniors in our programme development strategies and engaged them to sit on our advisory and planning committees, board of directors, and strategic development opportunities. This approach gave our seniors a safe place to volunteer, put their experience and expertise to work, and feel empowered to contribute to running their affairs. Our internal surveys show that since we have engaged seniors in a multi-layer approach as in programme developers and programme users, the participation has dramatically increased and client satisfaction was improved. The seniors have become advocates for the programmes and taken direct part in outreach and promotion of programmes. The volunteer capacity of seniors has been a great added value for our organization. Their families have testified that their parents are happier and live a more purposeful life and their visits to doctors offices have been reduced.

As service providers are learning from Dr. Dastjerdi’s study, we have reserved a role for elders in the community to take a more active part in decision-making and in how the organization plans for them. This approach and seniors’ direct recommendations have allowed us to introduce many new initiatives such as a literary club and a community kitchen where programme participants, volunteers, and staff converge and spend a very productive and enjoyable time together. They write their memoirs, poetry, and short stories. In a simple kitchen-like setting they mix and match ingredients to produce healthy snacks and food to enjoy during the programme and take home.

The buzz in the hall where IWOO holds its programmes is happy, productive, and extremely friendly. We have incorporated a diverse array of programmes in our new approach such as financial literacy, visits to the elders who get sick, company to hospital visits, and translation services. In summary, Dr. Dastjerdi’s study has been instrumental for the older adult population in the Iranian community, for our organization, and for the broader community to look at the issues of seniors from a different and more positive lens.

IWOO continues to provide social-educational weekly setting for elders of both genders where they have the opportunity to socialize, engage in leisure activities, enjoy nutritious meals and snacks, and participate in educational workshops. They are encouraged to re-learn ways to look after themselves effectively and with more independence.

The problems associated with social isolation, immigration, deficiency in resources are reduced significantly as a more collective approach is set to deal with macro- and micro-issues. The learning for IWOO in the past couple of years has been positively altering its organizational vision and has helped in establishing alliances and partnerships with other organizations and community members.

In 2009, IWOO adopted a new vision and elected a slate of Board of Directors who were committed to a strategic planning that would be current, transparent, and reflective of the needs of the Iranian-Canadian community members who have come from diverse backgrounds and mostly as a result of the political upheaval and uncertainties in Iran. The Board along with other IWOO volunteers and staff has successfully established the organization’s presence in the community and through their immeasurable hours of dedicated work developed regular programmes and services.

Since 2009, IWOO has worked in collaborations and partnerships and has established ongoing partnerships with many prominent service organizations to implement a service delivery model based on best practices in the sector to deliver quality programmes. Every year, over 50 educational workshops and presentations are offered to the community on weekly schedules. IWOO is also actively engaged in upholding the cultural and national celebrations and participates in many indoor and outdoor festivities on an ongoing basis.

IWOO is committed to assisting Iranian women and their families to overcoming barriers and empower them to become contributing members to the broader community. Our partnership with York University and Dr. Dastjerdi has assisted IWOO to enter a new phase of intellectual growth and enriched programme capacity.