Voice Heard: Unveiling the Challenges and Needs of Linguistic Minority Seniors in Quebec

Colloquium
Galaad Lefay,  Erica Botner,  Joanie Theriault,  Marie-Michèle Lord  

Seniors from linguistic minorities constitute a significant part of Canada's demographic, especially in Quebec. These individuals often struggle with health care and social service access primarily because they cannot communicate effectively in their native languages. While language barriers are recognized, other health and well-being issues are less understood, with seniors’ voices rarely heard regarding their needs. This study aims to 1) identify challenges faced by English-speaking seniors in Quebec in maintaining their health and well-being, and 2) help these seniors articulate priorities for improving the health and social services system. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining an online questionnaire (545 respondents) with three focus groups differentiated by geographic settings: urban, rural, and remote. This design aimed to capture a wide range of experiences. Insights from the focus groups indicate that urban seniors had better access to services but felt more marginalized within the healthcare system. Rural seniors reported greater isolation but experienced less stigmatization, likely due to stronger community ties. Across all settings, issues like ageism and capacitism were prevalent, along with specific challenges for non-francophone seniors, such as severe linguistic barriers and insufficient culturally sensitive care. These findings underscore the diverse and complex challenges faced by linguistic minority seniors, highlighting necessary directions for service improvements. This research offers crucial insights for shaping policies and practices that can better meet these diverse needs.