Accessing Informal and Formal Social Supports Among Older Immigrants in Toronto: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Older immigrants represent 30% of the older adult population in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2016). They are more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness than non-immigrant older adults due to loss of informal social support, language barriers, financial barriers and geographic barriers (Guruge et al, 2010; Lai & Chau, 2007). This paper examines the access of Arabic-, Mandarin- and Spanish-speaking populations to language-specific services in the City of Toronto. A qualitative GIS framework was employed, integrating E2SFCA accessibility measures with qualitative data in order to provide insight into gaps in service, lack of awareness, older immigrant concerns and the unification of qualitative analysis and geospatial techniques.