Healthy Pacific grandparents: a participatory action research project exploring ageing well among Pacific people in New Zealand

Abstract

The New Zealand older adult population (aged 65+ years) is growing at a faster rate than the younger population, with many of those in the later years living much longer. The proportion of older Pacific people is forecast to reach 4.1% of the country's total population within the next two decades, highlighting the importance of research focussed on ageing Pacific populations. Objective: This paper sets out the research protocol and methods for The Pacific Islands Families: Healthy Pacific Grandparents' Study which aims to investigate older Pacific peoples' viewpoints on ageing to identify specific cultural values, perspectives and understandings as the Pacific population in New Zealand ages. Discussions will focus upon key themes including: (1) Engagement with family, the community, and health service provision; (2) Support within their day-today lives; (3) Intergenerational living patterns and relationships; and (4) physical and psychosocial barriers to meaningful participation. Design: The study will recruit and utilise participants from a grandparent cohort that is nested within the families of the longitudinal Pacific Islands Families Study. This study uses a Participatory Action Research approach to position the participants in a leadership role where they are co-researchers involved in both the research and the implementation of recommendations. Implications: Findings will help determine whether current social and health system environments meet the needs of older Pacific people, and devise and implement solutions to deal with identified deficits. Utilising a transformative research process will bring older Pacific people together to define for themselves their needs and their experiences, identify any areas of shortcoming, and support the implementation of solutions through strategic and informed actions.