Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

There are promising initiatives advocating for the needs of homebound older adults in both the United States and Canada. However, with the growing Black population in Canada, these initiatives often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, failing to address the unique cultural factors that shape individual experiences. Notably, no existing programs specifically focus on Black homebound older adults or have been implemented in community health canters serving Black populations in Toronto. The goal of this project is to develop culturally inclusive initiatives tailored to the needs of Black homebound older adults in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This will be achieved in two phases. First, we searched the literature and identified 30 studies that have reported several met and unmet cognitive, personal, psychological, physical, environmental and financial needs of homebound older adults globally. Summarily, the findings generated several themes that describe disparities in clinical care practices, financial barriers to care access, challenges in navigating care services, and lack of culturally sensitive care practices towards homebound older adults globally. Next step: Based on these findings, we will conduct focus groups and individual interviews with 20 participants, including 4 healthcare professionals, 4 policymakers, 5 family members, and 5-10 Black homebound older adults. These interviews will provide critical insights into the care provided to Black homebound individuals, identifying gaps and highlighting effective practices. Ultimately, this research aims to inform culturally appropriate care policies and initiatives for Black homebound older adults in the GTA.