Importance of Indigenous elders’ contributions to individual and community wellness: results from a scoping review on social participation and intergenerational solidarity

Abstract

Objective Wellness is a challenge for Indigenous peoples, partly because Western services do not adopt a holistic approach. By devaluing traditional knowledge, Indigenous values and beliefs, these services lower Indigenous power and affect cultural identities. Indigenous elders participate in intergenerational solidarity by transmitting knowledge, values, and culture in a holistic approach. Despite widespread acceptance of the importance of Indigenous elders' contributions to wellness, a rigorous synthesis of knowledge has never been done. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Indigenous elders' social participation contributes to individual and community wellness. Method A scoping review was conducted with Indigenous elders and stakeholders in Québec (Canada). Sixteen databases were searched with 57 keywords. Data from the documents retrieved were analyzed, organized, and synthesized based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Synthesis A total of 144 documents were examined, comprising 74 scientific papers and 70 sources from the gray literature. Indigenous elders contributed to wellness mainly through relationships and interactions with other community members and non-Indigenous people (72.2%); intergenerational oral and written communications (70.1%); community, social and civic life (45.8%); volunteering and jobs (35.4%); and family life (29.9%). Elders transmit traditional knowledge, strengthen social cohesion, and help to develop positive attitudes such as reciprocity. Their actions favour disease prevention and health promotion, as including traditional approaches increases the acceptability of health and social services. Conclusion This scoping review highlights the need for longitudinal studies with mixed-method designs involving Indigenous communities at all stages of the research to deepen understanding of the contributions of Indigenous elders to individual and community wellness.

Typology of Family Support in Home Care for Iranian Older People: A Qualitative Study

“…Additionally, it improves their physical, mental, and cognitive health, thereby helping them experience a successful aging [ 87 ]. It also has positive effects on intergeneration relationships, young people, families, and societies [ 88 ]. Therefore, family members should encourage older people and support them to actively participate in social activities.…”

Implementing Community-Engaged Participatory Research Methods in a Study of Cree Women’s Wellness: Describing Recruitment Processes and Outcomes

“…In particular, the Sharing Circles were designed to respond directly to issues identified by the Elders Advisory Committee and addressed the needs of the community participants. Importantly, knowledge translation events were planned with the Elders Advisory Committee as part of the research to make sure that the wider community benefited first from the knowledge generated by community members about menopause and aging well before publication in the research literature, as recommended by others (Fletcher, 2003;Jacklin & Kinoshameg, 2008;Wilson, 2008;Bull, 2010;Jull, et al, 2018;Viscogliosi et al, 2020). Similar strategies may be successful in other rural Indigenous communities but must be tailored for specific cultures, needs and expectations of each individual community.…”

“…The involvement of the Elders themselves is of great significance in developing this research. Their willingness to participate fully in group discussion, as well as to say prayers and bless the work is important, as highlighted by other researchers (Wilson, 2008;Bull, 2010;Viscogliosi et al, 2020). The Elders themselves clearly exemplify living life to the full, the community members' goal for this aging and wellness research.…”

“Do something with them!”: developing “comfortable” engagement with Elders participating in an arts-based sexual health promotion and STBBI prevention workshop for Indigenous Youth in Labrador, Canada

“…Thus, Elders may be a critical link to culture, and through this, to health and wellbeing [ 8 ]. However, colonisation disrupted traditional ways of life and continues to have multigenerational effects on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples in Canada [ 9 , 10 ].…”