Empowering People in
the Community (E.P.C.) is one of the many programs offered that advocates for
elderly people who struggle with mental or physical disabilities. The agency
provides services that contribute to the psychological well-being of their
participants. Their “values are integrity in all they do; honoring the
strengths of people and community; holism including emotional, spiritual, physical,
intellectual, environmental and cultural; and respect for all people.” The
agency’s mandate is to encourage and empower the elderly who struggle
with mental and/or physical disabilities to live the “best quality of life
possible.”
Some older
participants came to the agency when they were young adults. Care providers willing to provide
a home for adults with disabilities are responsible for supporting and
empowering them by providing them with information
and assisting them to make decisions based on their preferences, and values.
“A person with a disability should no longer be viewed as someone who cannot
function because of impairment but rather as someone who needs an accommodation
in order to function.” (Bleeker, 2001, p.1)
Care-providers are called to be client centered, provide a safe
environment, design enjoyable mealtimes, and be a positive role model.
Elder participants
are encouraged to join in recreational activities, socialize, have fun, and
develop meaningful relationships. Rowe and Kahns (1998) “…component of
successful aging is active engagement with life - was defined as having two
dimensions: relating and being connected with others through social
relationships and continuing productive activities.” At the Empowering People in the
Community lounge there are activities every day where the elder are encouraged
to drop in and participate. Some of them are brought
by support workers. Usually there is a very good turnout. Music therapy is one
night a week where the participants listen to music and enthusiastically take
turns singing karaoke. The group goes bowling, swimming, and the movies. They
get together once a month to learn a different culture and eat ethnic foods. In
the summer they go to Folklarama and in the winter there is The Festival du
Voyageur. They also have dances periodically. “Conceptualization of
successful aging suggests that: "maintaining close relationships with
others, and remaining involved in activities that are meaningful and
purposeful, are important for well-being throughout the life course" (Rowe
and Kahn's (1998), pg.46)
Joe
has been with the agency since he was in his late thirties. Over sixty now, he
is living with his care provider in the community. He had brain damage when he
was born and by the time he was four suffered from a life threatening illness
which left him with a physical disability. When he first came to Empowerment in
the Community he was in an abusive relationship and his family took advantage
of him. He was vulnerable and not able to take care of himself. His hygiene was
so bad that he developed sores all over his body. Grossly overweight, he wore
clothes that were shabby and not suitable for the season. “The
prevalence of both obesity and disability is increasing globally and there is
now growing evidence to suggest that these two health priorities may be
linked.” (Ells, Lang, Shield, Wilkinson,
Lidstone, Coulton, and Summerbell. (2006), pg.341)
He was fortunate
enough to get a care provider that really cares and treats him like family. He
lives in a neighborhood that is quiet and safe. Every day he takes the bus to
work at a grocery store. With the
support of his care provider he lost over one hundred
and eighty pounds, has a savings account, goes on trips once a year,
bought some electronic equipment, and now has a nice wardrobe. He loves to read
inspirational books, go to dances, and regularly works out at the gym. He is a friendly man who likes to socialize and is secure,
enthusiastic and happy.
Older people with disabilities do not
have all three criteria mentioned by Rowe and Kahn, “It is a combination of all
three – avoidance of disease and disability, maintenance of cognitive and
physical function and sustained engagement with life that represents the
concept of aging more fully.” (Rowe & Kahn, 1998, pg. 39) Joe does not have
all three criteria. In a perfect world this would be ideal and who would not
want such a life? But we do not live in a perfect world.
There are many other theories and lens that we
could look through. “Characteristics of successful aging closely related to the
maintenance of high physical and cognitive functions also are problematic,
particularly when used in relation to people who entre old age with significant
and often lifelong disabilities.” (Miler & Fadem, pg.232) My question is whose lens do we choose to look
through to define success? According to Chappell, McDonald, & Stones,
“Researchers are people, and just like everyone else, they carry deeply held
and often, unconscious assumptions about the world and how it operates - a
paradigm. Their paradigms influence their choice of theory, and this is to be
expected. However their paradigms and all their assumptions may be hidden from
them, then they go about their research not realizing (or caring, perhaps) that
they are viewing facts through a lens that is consistent with the way they
think things should be, rather than the way they actually are.”(pg.59)
People with
disabilities, as we all do, need an environment where they can thrive because
they are accepted and appreciated for who they are without being ashamed or
having to live up to other people’s expectations. They deserve a fulfilling
life in whatever form this is for them. All too often we define success by
someone else’s perceptions. In the final analysis how people choose to accept
and perceive success in their life is what really counts. What do you think?
Ells, L. J.,
Lang, R., Shield, J. P. H., Wilkinson, J. R., Lidstone, J. S. M., Coulton, S.
and Summerbell, C. D. (2006), Obesity and disability – a short review. Obesity
Reviews, 7: 341–345. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2006.00233.x
Holstein,
M., & Minkler, M., (2003) Self, society, and the "new gerontology”,
the
Gerontologist 43(6): 787-79
Minkler, M.,
& Fadem, P. (2002). Successful aging: A disability perspective. Journal
of Disability Policy Studies, 12(4),
229-235
NS430 Davies N (2008) Caring
for older adults with learning disabilities. Nursing Statidard. 22, 24, 42-48. Date of
acceptance: October 24 2007. Walker
C, Walker A (1998)
Rowe,
J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998). Successful aging. New York: Pantheon
