The process of community development with seniors, an ethnographic study

grantor: University of TorontoThis dissertation investigates the process of community development with seniors as it occurs in government-funded community health agencies. It makes a unique contribution to the literature by revealing the phases and dimensions of the process and by making visible the diverse, multi-level influences giving it shape. Further, the consequences of the process are identified and perceptions of participants are given voice. An ethnographic research method was used that involved participant observation of two naturally-occurring cases of community development with seniors, one sponsored by a public health department and the other by a community health centre. Participant observation included participation in planning meetings, twenty-one interviews with senior participants, thirteen interviews with professional participants, twenty-one telephone interviews with persons representing a variety of settings with an interest in community development, and analysis of written documents. The core study finding was that the community development process was characterized by five phases and three key dimensions. The five phases of the process were: (a) building agency commitment for action, (b) building community commitment for action, (c) building capacity for action, (d) taking action, and (e) ending. The three dimensions characterizing the process were: (a) delays, interruptions, and premature closure, (b) control by experts, and (c) outcomes that were not fully realized. Two constraints on the community development process were identified as: (a) a political agenda that involved cutting costs, controlling the health agenda, oppressing political action by community groups, and shifting the focus on health programmes from older persons to youth and (b) conflicting expectations related to the results of the process. The consequences of the community development process included improved health-related knowledge and lifestyle behaviours and improved social support. The process was found to be non-sustainable even after significant investment of resources. The discussion emphasizes the importance of government and agency support, both philosophical and financial, for the community development process. It also affirms the critical role professionals play in facilitating power-sharing with community members. The metaphor of the fruit tree is used to give rich illustration to the multiple factors influencing 'healthy growth' of the community development process.Ph.D