Interactions at the elder-organization interface: Elders' experiences

Abstract

Optimizing opportunities for elders’ participation is a central tenet of active aging policies. This article reports on a qualitative study that examined elders’ interactions with a range of organizations, using a combination of diaries and focus groups, to identify factors that enabled or constrained elders’ participation. Three organizational practices and three elder practices were identified as key influences on positive interactions. Where elders perceived they were seen, listened to, and helped in an appropriate manner, or where they were able to negotiate for these outcomes, their participation was enabled and they enjoyed a sense of satisfaction and well-being. Where elders perceived they or their needs were overlooked, their voices silenced, and appropriate assistance denied them, or they were unable to intervene to change these conditions, their participation was constrained and a sense of dissatisfaction resulted. The findings point to positive interactions as the shared responsibility of elders and organizational representatives.