Physical Activity Policy for Older Adults in the Northwest Territories, Canada: Gaps and Opportunities for Gains

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada, the population of older adults is increasing, and this population reports much poorer health than other age cohorts. Given the number of benefits that physical activity (PA) can have for older adults, we analyzed policies concerning older adults and PA of both the NWT government and non-governmental organizations in the health, recreation, and sports sectors. Our findings indicate that although the majority of the organizations had no PA policies specific to older adults or Aboriginal older adults, some organizations completed all five stages of the policy cycle (agenda setting, policy formulation, decision making, implementation, and evaluation). Our analysis suggests that PA for older adults is not on the agenda for many organizations in the NWT and that often the policy process does not continue past the decision-making stage. To address the need for connections between all stages of the policy cycle, we suggest that organizations collaborate across multiple sectors and with older adults to develop a territory-wide, age-friendly rural and remote community strategy that is applicable to the NWT. Prioritizing age-friendly communities would, in turn, facilitate appropriate PA opportunities for older adults in the NWT and thus contribute to a healthier aging population.Key words: older adults; physical activity; health; recreation; Northwest Territories; policy analysis; policy cycle; rural and remote RÉSUMÉ. Dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest (T.N.-O.), au Canada, la population de personnes âgées augmente, et la santé de ce segment de population est bien inférieure à celle des autres segments. Étant donné les bienfaits que peut comporter l'activité physique (AP) chez les personnes âgées, nous avons analysé les politiques concernant les personnes âgées et l'AP au sein des organismes gouvernementaux et non gouvernementaux des Territoires du Nord-Ouest en matière de santé, de loisirs et de sports. Nos constatations indiquent que même si la majorité des organismes n'étaient pas dotés de politiques d'AP visant particulièrement les personnes âgées ou les Autochtones âgés, certains organismes avaient déjà fait les cinq étapes du cycle stratégique (détermination de l'ordre du jour, formulation de politiques, prise de décisions, mise en oeuvre et évaluation). Notre analyse suggère que pour bien des organismes des T.N.-O., l'AP chez les personnes âgées ne figure pas au programme et que souvent, le processus d'élaboration de politiques ne se poursuit pas après l'étape de la prise de décisions. Afin de relier toutes les étapes du cycle, nous suggérons que les organismes des divers secteurs collaborent entre eux ainsi qu'avec les personnes âgées afin de parvenir à une stratégie qui correspond bien aux gens plus âgés des localités rurales et éloignées, à l'échelle des T.N.-O. En accordant une priorité à la création de collectivités qui tiennent compte des personnes âgées, on pourrait aboutir à des activités physiques convenant aux personnes âgées des T.N.-O., ce qui contri...

Physical Activity Among Older Women Living in Rural Areas in Canada: A Scoping Review

“…(p. 854) And although Leipert et al, (2014) and Mair et al, (2019) emphasise the critical role that curling clubs and comparable organisations play in promoting physical activity among older women in rural Canada, they also raise the issue of adequately resourcing and sustaining rural communities to support these recreational activities. In response, and building on the seminal work of Keating et al, (2011), Brooks-Cleator andGiles (2016) propose that age friendly rural and remote communities (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010) could provide a rurally-oriented roadmap (Jeffery et al, 2018) for governments and non-governmental organisations to promote physical activity in their jurisdictions.…”

“…Governmental support at a provincial level also plays an integral part in driving physical activity in rural and remote regions. However, policy directives are not always translated into practice, as identified by Brooks-Cleator and Giles (2016) in their investigation of physical activity policy for older adults in the North West Territories of Canada. There, the political landscape is largely devoid of policies, programmes, and opportunities for older residents to participate in physical activities.…”

Do Age-Friendly Rural Communities Affect Quality of Life? A Comparison of Perceptions from Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China

“…They proposed key issues and concerns relevant to AFRCs, such as the need for equity in service provision, greater choice in community services, and more transport options. Brooks-Cleator and Giles suggested collaborating with older adults to develop territory-wide, age-friendly rural and remote communities in order to support the physical activity of older adults in rural areas [ 24 ]. There is also abundant discussion of public transportation, participation in community activities, and community services for rural-community-dwelling older adults [ 25 , 26 ].…”