“THE HOUSING SITUATION IS HARDER FOR NATIVES:” AN ECOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF HOUSING ISSUES FOR OLDER INDIGENOUS ADULTS1

The rapidly growing older Indigenous adult population in Canada is creating an increasing need for housing and other services. In this study, we examined the characteristics of older Indigenous adults in Atlantic Canada, their current housing situations, and their housing needs from an ecological perspective. A total of 25 older Indigenous adults participated in focus groups. Our results highlight that the ecological model is useful in identifying various types of housing issues that exist and supports that are needed to meet the various individual, interpersonal, environmental, and cultural needs of older Indigenous adults. Many salient issues relevant to older Indigenous adults are located at the macrosystem level of the model. Additional resources should be made available to assist older Indigenous adults to remain living in their homes, to maintain and modify their homes, and to be contributing members of their communities. For those who wish to relocate, additional models of housing need to be made available that are designed to meet the diverse physical, social, and cultural needs of older Indigenous adults.