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Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks – Seniors Connecting via Social Media
No full textSocial media is an important platform for accessing information and connecting with friends and family, yet in 2016, only 34% of Americans over the age of 64 had ever used online networking sites. Older people face significant barriers to usage of social media and are particularly vulnerable to internet-based scams, yet risk suffering from loneliness and isolation while they go through major life changes associated with aging. Research suggests that social media could be an important tool to reduce this isolation, and help people stay connected and supported while they age. This essay discusses the heightened relevance of this topic in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, how older people most often interact with social media, the digital divide and how it disproportionately affects seniors, and some important upsides and downsides of older people being active on social media. Upsides include the capacity of social media to reduce isolation among vulnerable populations and improve various health outcomes, as well as being a chance to stay current with family members‘ lives. The most pressing downside is the dangers faced by older users who may not know how to protect themselves against internet-based fraud and identity theft. For those who wish to encourage older people to use social media to connect, there is therefore a strong need for digital literacy programs to help them learn to do so safely. Librarians can and will play a huge role in the future of this issue
Jour du Souvenir 1971
Get PDFEditors‘ Note: The following speech, shared by Colonel Moar‘s grandson, offers reflections from a Canadian WWII Veteran from the North Shore Regiment, who thoughtfully illustrated the complexities of armed conflict, the humanity that exists amid extreme contexts, and the lasting impacts of the moral dilemmas that arise, especially in relation to children. Colonel Moar remained steadfast in his service for a peaceful world and was greatly respected for how he championed care for fellow Veterans.Nota de los editores: la charla siguiente, compartida por el nieto del coronel Moar, nos permite conocer las reflexiones de un veterano canadiense de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, perteneciente al Regimiento North Shore, quien ilustra en detalle las complejidades del conflicto armado, la humanidad que surge en situaciones extremas y los impactos perdurables de los dilemas morales que se presentan, particularmente en relación con los niños. El coronel Moar se mantuvo firme en su determinación de prestar servicio para lograr la paz mundial y se granjeó un enorme respeto debido a su lucha por los derechos de los demás veteranos.Note de la rédaction : Le discours qui suit, donné par le petit-fils du colonel Moar, offre les réflexions d‘un ancien combattant canadien de la Seconde Guerre mondiale du North Shore Regiment, qui a illustré de façon réfléchie les complexités des conflits armés, l‘humanité qui existe dans les contextes extrêmes et les répercussions durables des dilemmes moraux qui surviennent, en particulier en ce qui concerne les enfants. Le colonel Moar est demeuré inébranlable dans son service en faveur d‘un monde pacifique, et il est très respecté pour la façon dont il s‘est fait le champion des soins pour ses collègues anciens combattants
Ethical Considerations in Population Health Research With Vulnerable Communities and the Added Value of Community-Engaged Methodology
Get PDFWorking among vulnerable communities poses unique ethical challenges when conducting biocultural research. When communities face dire poverty and social injustice, simply observing and documenting stressors and related health outcomes may be considered exploitative by vulnerable and already overburdened residents. As biocultural researchers, our responsibility is to work toward solutions addressing differential impacts of social injustice. Here, we highlight work amongst the Comcaac, an indigenous group native to Sonora, Mexico. Today, they experience significant resource insecurity secondary to historical marginalization and structural violence. Employing ethnographic methods (participant observation, focus groups, unstructured and semi-structured interviews), we investigated social and ecological stressors likely affecting members‘ health. First, we determined visible themes encompassing resource insecurity (e.g., water, food, power, medicine etc.) and struggles with poverty, racism, and associated feelings of injustice. Through deep engagement, we also discerned community members‘ frustrations with what they see as exploitative research – obtaining information but failing to work actively toward solutions or remain invested in participants‘ well-being. To begin addressing their most severe issues, we first documented substantial needs within the community, then obtained outside donors and organized a weekly food bank delivery of fresh foods. Now, these are distributed weekly by community leaders in culturally appropriate and locally embedded ways. Thereby, we were able to address an immediate need in a manner that will have continuing impact even while not actively conducting fieldwork. To have real meaning for our research communities, as biocultural researchers we must create ethically based long-term relationships to develop meaningful scholarship
The Long Story of an Indigenous Health Research Project
Get PDFIndigenous health inequities represent a significant challenge for health research and programming. The research seeking to address these inequities also faces significant challenges. To guide researchers through these challenges, several resources exist. That said, the real world of Indigenous research is complex and contains much that, experience suggests, is not accounted for by existing resources. Therefore, this article tells the full and honest story of conducting research within largely Western systems the barriers they present to Indigenous community-based health research that respects self-determination and culture. When relevant to discussion, examples will be provided from a recently completed COVID-19 vaccine promotion research project. In telling this story, many questions are posed, some of these are tentatively answered, and many are left for contemplation and future work. When answers are provided, they often stem from personal experience, and so, conclusions should be approached cautiously. Regardless, prioritizing respectful and authentic relationships appears to be a universal compass that can guide researchers to the good way. Still, more consistent and honest reporting of barriers, failures, and opportunities may be needed to truly reflect the challenging realities of ethical Indigenous research
Reconciliation Through Co-Learning: A Dietetic Intern‘s Journey With the Two-Eyed Seeing Program
Get PDFThe Two-Eyed Seeing Program is a Mount Saint Vincent University-based program that partners with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and programs to promote, decolonize, and indigenize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through summer camps for Indigenous youth. In the summer of 2022, Megan Churchill, a settler, was the dietetic intern with the Two-Eyed Seeing Program. The commentary shares her experiences throughout the dietetic internship placement, including meeting with Elder Dr. Albert Marshall. Throughout Megan‘s dietetic internship placement, she noticed that Indigenous Knowledge and values are rarely incorporated into university STEM education; therefore, this commentary advocates for Indigenous studies and knowledge to be made mandatory in university settings