Research & Reports
History of Research
Research has played a pivotal role in informing the activities of TONS. The coalition has received support in the form of academic research beginning with the Manitoba Association of Gerontology’s (MAG) involvement in 2000-2001 and followed by a community-university research partnership with the University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies (IUS) since 2005.
There has been an emphasis on applied research involving participatory and collaborative approaches. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis and community outreach have been essential to uncovering the issues in both urban and rural Manitoba. The investigations identified potential partners and required input from multi-sectoral stakeholders. Workshops, focus groups, surveys and ongoing stakeholder involvement have improved the quality of recommendations for both community and policymakers.
Dr. Gina Sylvestre has developed the research program for the group for nearly a decade, delivering expertise in the areas of transportation and housing for older adults. A key focus of the work has been capacity-building in students and recent graduates who have provided support to the initiatives. Intergenerational and urban-rural understanding has also been developed through outreach.
Through this unique community-university partnership, the coalition has:
With increased member and collective capacity, TONS has raised the profile of transportation for seniors in the province of Manitoba.
Past research provided through MAG and IUS by:
Elaine Pelletier, BFA, BSc, MPE - Research Assistant
Gary Christopher, MCP candidate - Research Assistant
Gina Sylvestre, PhD - Research Associate
Lesley Gaudry, MRP - Research Assistant
Katy Walsh, MCP candidate - Research Assistant
Marcie Snyder, PhD candidate - GIS Technician
back
to top
Current Research
In 2008-09, TONS focused on three issue-areas specific to each of the newly formed sub-committees, addressing public transportation, rural transportation and private transportation. Through a collaboration of committee members, stakeholders, and community involvement, IUS has developed a series of products relevant to communities and stakeholders.
Public Transportation
Rural Transportation
Community Handi-van Program Checklist
Transportation for Older Adults in Rural Manitoba: A Community Toolkit for
Handi-van Programs
Manitoba s on the Mobility Disadvantaged Transportation Program Guidelines
Private Transportation
Personal Vehicle Ownership & Operation Cost Calculator
Transitioning Away from Driving: Community Workshop Proceedings, April 17th, 2009
Transitioning Away from Driving: A Curriculum for Peer-Speakers and Resource Guide for Older Manitobans
Transportation Options: A Comparison of Costs and Benefits (brochure)
Current research provided through IUS by:
Arthur Ladd, BA candidate - Research Assistant
Daniel Powell, MUP candidate - GIS Technician
Esther McNairnay, BA (4yr) candidate - Rural Coordinator
Gina Sylvestre, PhD - Research Associate
Karin Kliewer, MCP candidate - Research Assistant
Karina Cardona Claros, BA (4yr) - Research Coordinator
Lydia Carpenter, BSc (4 yr) candidate - Research Assistant
back
to top
Research Reports
Policy paper – Manitoba s on the Mobility Disadvantaged Transportation Program Guidelines (2009)
Coming soon
Position paper – Senior-Friendly Transportation in Winnipeg: Towards a Comprehensive Strategy (2009)
Coming soon
Workshop proceedings – Transitioning Away from Driving: Community Workshop, April 17th, 2009 (2009)
Coming soon
As follow-up to the report “Mobility Options for the Aging Population of Manitoba: An Action Plan for Regional Solutions”a one-day workshop was held in Winnipeg on March 20, 2008. The gathering brought together a group representative of civic, provincial and federal government departments, senior-serving organizations, service providers and researchers. The goal of the workshop was to review the recommendations of the report and to identify strategies that should be prioritized. This report examines the strategic priorities for seniors mobility/transportation in Manitoba that were established at the workshop.
Mobility Options for the Aging Population of Manitoba: An Action Plan for Regional Solutions (2007)
Coming soon
This research project was formulated to examine transport resources, promising practices and alternative models that could potentially contribute to a broad vision of transportation for Manitoban seniors. The most critical component of the project was a comprehensive consultation process with twenty-six stakeholders representing the civic, municipal and provincial government bodies of Manitoba, the transportation sector, the business community, health and social services, non-profit organizations and seniors’ agencies. The review of best practices and the extensive consultation process of the project have contributed to the strategies that are formulated in this report to address the mobility needs of an aging population in both Winnipeg and the regions of Manitoba. Read more…
This report puts forward the need for a broad vision of transportation that includes an assortment of stakeholders from both the private and public sector to establish a continuum of appropriate transportation options that provide for the varying mobility needs of older adults. A multi-modal vision requires the enhancement of a range of mobility options to ensure that seniors in Manitoba are able to access appropriate transportation to meet their life-sustaining and life-enhancing needs. Therefore, this report provides a total of thirteen recommendations to improve the transportation modes that are available to seniors. These recommendations represent an outline of regional solutions and specific steps to offer a broad spectrum of transportation resources that improve the mobility of both seniors and other transportation-disadvantaged groups.
This study was initiated to explore the issues of mobility and transportation disadvantage for older adults in the context of rural Manitoba. Overall, there has been only limited focus on issues related to the transportation needs of seniors particularly in rural environments. Population aging is regarded as one of the most significant demographic developments of the past century; in particular, population aging is a defining characteristic of nucleated communities in Canada’s rural hinterland. In comparison to the urban elderly, rural seniors are a disadvantaged group: they are older, have less education, have lower incomes and are in poorer health. Rural elders are also disadvantaged in terms of mobility because spatial dispersion and geographic isolation represent substantial barriers for access to goods, services, medical care and social networks. In rural areas in particular, personal mobility is dependent on adequate transportation options and is an essential component of well-being for the aging population. Read more…
As a result of geographic remoteness and the lack of transportation alternatives that characterize rural areas, unrestricted mobility requires access to automobile travel. However, geographic distribution coupled with their health and mobility limitations can complicate the ability of older adults to drive to or travel to services and activities that provide opportunities for community involvement. Therefore, the primary goal of the study was to examine transportation options that are available to older adults in rural Manitoba, and to evaluate the issues and barriers that create transportation disadvantage for this senior population.
The provision of adequate transportation is a crucial component for the well-being of society. There are various factors that impede the mobility of the aging population. In Winnipeg, the issue of inadequate transportation for older adults has become of increasing concern. A primary objective of this research project was to develop recommendations that would be the basis for the creation of effective and sustainable solutions to address the inadequacy of present transportation provision for seniors in Winnipeg. This report presents the results of the Winnipeg Seniors Transportation Working Group’s investigation of the factors causing mobility difficulties for the older population, along with an outline of recommendations that are suggested to improve the mobility of seniors in Winnipeg. Read more…
A key component in the development of the recommendations has been the process of dialogue within the Working Group. A series of meetings were held in the past nine months to discuss the issues, the findings of the research project and possible solutions. The participatory nature of this project was crucial. Solutions will only be effective if those involved in creating and implementing new initiatives and those affected by these initiatives are included in the development process. The consensus reached by the Working Group is represented in this final report that outlines recommendations that will ultimately lead to the creation of solutions to improve transportation for seniors.
The role of the Manitoba Association on Gerontology has been to develop a series of guiding principles as a framework for the advancement of solutions that will improve the quality of life of older persons in Manitoba through transportation provision. The principles provide guidelines to direct investigation and implementation of solutions for the mobility problems of seniors. They were developed through discussions with service providers, community, business and government representatives, MAG members, and, most importantly, from the perspective of seniors themselves. The guiding principles fall into three categories: (1) the foundations for the importance of unrestricted mobility for seniors; (2) the issues that create mobility limitations; and (3) the factors that must be considered to ensure optimum mobility of older adults. Five guiding principles are defined within the context of these categories.
back
to top
Poster Presentations
Addressing the transportation needs of a diverse and growing senior population is a multifaceted issue requiring variable local and regional solutions. Ensuring that a continuum of responsive transportation resources is available for older adults necessitates the engagement and commitment of multisectoral stakeholders towards the coordinated goal of improved sustainable mobility options. This poster documents how a research program initiated by a community coalition in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has raised the profile of transportation issues faced by older adults and developed community partnerships to effect change in programs, policies and practices. The research program is represented by three research projects conducted by university members of the Seniors Transportation Working Group (STWG). These research projects have enhanced the capacity of the community coalition by developing knowledge of the issues related to mobility for older adults in both urban and rural settings in the province of Manitoba. The outcome of the most recent research project has been the development of a priority action plan identifying five strategic areas for promoting effective collaboration and building sustainable community responses. The present commitment of a diverse range of stakeholders to this ongoing process is an illustration of the effectiveness of research in supporting a community coalition to facilitate environmental and policy changes. This examination of the research program developed by STWG will yield useful information for community coalitions that undertake similar efforts to address transportation for the aging population.
* Presented by Dr. Gina Sylvestre at the Gerontological Society of America’s 61st Annual Scientific Meeting. November 21-25, 2008. Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center National Harbor, MD, USA.
back
to top
Resources
Please see Resources for Brochures, Checklists and Toolkits.
|
