Successful Aging Through the eyes of Alaska Native Elders. What It Means to Be an Elder in Bristol Bay, AK

Lewis, Jordan

doi:10.1093/geront/gnr006

Cited by 118 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Involvement with the community provides an opportunity for seniors to pass on cultural knowledge and traditions to youth, which is an important component of cultural continuity. Furthermore, when seniors share teachings and stories with youth, opportunities for engagement are enhanced (Lewis, 2011). It was clear that senior participants were enjoying the benefits of this type of interaction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Photovoice to Understand Intergenerational Influences on Health and Well-Being in a Southern Labrador Inuit Community

Gabel

Pace

Ryan

2016

IJIH

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This research sought to explore one southern Labrador Inuit community's intergenerational relationships, with a focus on seniors' perspectives and understandings of health and well-being. This knowledge is important for accessing and responding to social and demographic change to ensure a continued ability to provide for future generations. Our research employed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach and a qualitative, arts-based methodology, including photovoice. Participants in this study included six seniors and six youth from St. Lewis, Labrador, Canada, who were provided with cameras and were asked to take photographs that represent how their lived experience related to the research questions. Our findings demonstrated that strong relationships between older and younger generations, particularly within families, exist in St. Lewis. We argue that these relationships contribute positively to the overall health and well-being of the community. Little is known about how youth and seniors in Indigenous communities perceive one another and their respective roles in a contemporary context. Our research suggests that learning more about the factors that shape senior-youth interaction and communication in St. Lewis may lead to interventions that will support intergenerational contact and, hence, promote cultural continuity and increase overall well-being. The promotion of cultural continuity and well-being is of particular importance in Indigenous communities, given the disruption of culture due to colonialism and given that Indigenous communities with high levels of cultural continuity are healthier.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Photovoice to Understand Intergenerational Influences on Health and Well-Being in a Southern Labrador Inuit Community

Gabel

Pace

Ryan

2016

IJIH

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“…Some researchers believe that, compared to physical and mental health, social connection and support from family and the community make a more significant contribution to seniors' conceptions of successful aging and that this type of connection requires more attention from society [5,6] found that older adults are actually embracing digital gaming contrary to the popular belief that seniors are reluctant to play digital games. The study's results highlight that older adults who play digital games, even occasionally, perform better than elderly non-gamers on some psychological functioning tests (e.g., well-being, affect, depression, and social functioning), which could reflect successful aging.…”

Section: Social Connectednessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Older Adults’ Social Connectedness through Digital Games

Kaufman¹

2017

GGS

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“…The role of Elder is distinguished from older adult and constitutes a community and family recognition of the person for their contribution to the group, their cultural knowledge, and their capacity for consultation and advice to others, based upon accumulated wisdom of life experience (Lewis, 2011). Community and family members honor and respect their Elders and this cultural convention distinguishes those who have lived traditionally, engaged in healthy behaviors, taught others, and served as an integral part of their community and served as role models (Lewis, 2011), and thus the reason it is capitalized in this commentary.…”

Section: Cultural Definition Of Aian Eldersmentioning

confidence: 99%

American Indian/Alaska Native Elders: A Growing Demographic that Is Changing How We View Aging

Lewis

2016

Journal of Gerontological Social Work

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Today, AIAN Elders are more actively engaged in their families and communities, encouraging the development of intergenerational programs, language and cultural revitalization, being stewards in research conducted in their communities, as well passing on their knowledge and experiences on how to live as healthy Native people. Elders have traditionally been quiet and observant of their environment, but the current and future cohorts of Elders are advocates, leaders, and culture bearers for their families and communities and they are now in positions of leadership. Western society acknowledges the value of traditional knowledge and AIAN Elders are viewed as exemplars of healthy aging and their lessons and experiences can be attributed to our own lives. This commentary highlights the paradigm shift in how society views older adults, specifically AIAN Elders and their role in health and wellbeing.

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Successful Aging Through the eyes of Alaska Native Elders. What It Means to Be an Elder in Bristol Bay, AK

Abstract: This research seeks to inform studies on indigenous aging that prioritizes the perspectives of elders to affect positively on the delivery of health care services in rural Alaska.

Cited by 118 publications

References 15 publications

Using Photovoice to Understand Intergenerational Influences on Health and Well-Being in a Southern Labrador Inuit Community

Using Photovoice to Understand Intergenerational Influences on Health and Well-Being in a Southern Labrador Inuit Community

Enhancing Older Adults’ Social Connectedness through Digital Games

American Indian/Alaska Native Elders: A Growing Demographic that Is Changing How We View Aging

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