First Nation Elders Who Use Wheeled Mobility: An Exploration of Culture and Health

Abstract

Objective : to explore wheeled mobility use by First Nation Elders who live on reserves in Canada. Purpose: to gain an understanding of the importance of Elder cultural participation, the perceptions of the effects of participation on health, how cultural participation has changed since becoming a wheeled mobility user, the barriers to participation, and thoughts on how participation can be improved. Method: A database search of the literature was conducted in an iterative manner from September 2015-June 2017 to locate research related to wheeled mobility. The population of interest was First Nation Elders who live on reserve in Canada. All types of study designs and methods were considered. An interpretive phenomenological study was also conducted in order learn about the lived experiences of First Nation Elder wheeled mobility users in accessing the cultural elements of their communities. Data were collected using a demographic form and a semi-structured interview. Findings: The author did not find any studies on wheeled mobility use by Elders on reserve, or their impacts on cultural participation during the literature review. Several barriers to cultural participation were brought forward during the phenomenological study which included: lack of access to outdoors; lack of transportation; inaccessible paths of travel; lack of access at the events; and feelings of sigma and burden.