Health, Social, and Settlement Service Providers’ Perspectives of Determinants of Social Isolation Among Older Immigrants in Canada

Background: Social isolation, a recognized contributor to physical and mental health problems, requires intervention. The determinants of social isolation for older immigrants vary from those experienced by the local-born older adults. Service providers are in a position to identify important determinants of social isolation to be addressed with relevant health, social, and settlement interventions. Objective: This study’s objective was to describe service providers’ perceived importance of micro-, meso-, and macro-level determinants of social isolation for older immigrants from the East Asian, South Asian, and Arab communities, the three largest immigrant groups in Canada, yet under-represented in research on social isolation. Methods: Service providers were recruited from agencies working with immigrant communities that partnered with the Inclusive Communities for Older Immigrants project. They completed an online survey, which presented determinants of social isolation among older immigrants, and invited the study participants to rate the importance of these determinants for intervention. Results: The determinants identified as most important in reducing older immigrants’ social isolation were their physical, mental and/or cognitive health at the micro level; access to health, social, and settlement services and information about these services at the meso level; and discrimination at the macro level. Conclusion: Service providers and policymakers can collaborate with older immigrants and community leaders in developing interventions to address these determinants and mitigate the impact of social isolation on health and well- being.