Abstracts
Abstract
Community nonprofit organizations (CNPOs) are a vital component of the social infrastructure that addresses the needs of older adults aging in place. Despite this, CNPOs are overlooked in political research and relevant policies, such as the age-friendly cities program. This article examines CNPO work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Montréal, Québec. Policy analysis, surveys, and interviews with CNPO staff, local policy actors, and older adults reveal that CNPOs became increasingly essential frontline social service providers during the pandemic. While CNPOs fill gaps in public and private social infrastructures, they are facing considerable service, labour, administrative, and financial challenges due to inadequate policy support. Policy on aging must incorporate CNPO work in different sectors and communities, facilitate partnerships that respect CNPO autonomy, and improve CNPO funding.
Keywords:
- community nonprofit organizations,
- social infrastructure,
- age-friendly cities,
- aging in place,
- COVID-19 pandemic
Résumé
Les organismes sans but lucratif (OSBL) communautaires sont une composante essentielle de l’infrastructure sociale qui répond aux besoins des aînés vieillissant chezeux. Pourtant, malgré leur importance, les OSBL communautaires sont négligés dans la recherche politique et dans la mise en oeuvre de politiques, comme on le voit dans le programme des villes « amies des aînés ». Cet article examine le travail des OSBL durant la pandémie de la COVID-19 à Montréal, au Québec. L’analyse des politiques—ainsi que celle de sondages et d’entrevues effectués auprès du personnel des OSBL, de responsables locaux et d’aînés—montre que, pendant la pandémie, les OSBL sont devenus des fournisseurs de services sociaux de première ligne de plus en plus essentiels. Cependant, même si les OSBL communautaires comblent les lacunes des infrastructures sociales publiques et privées, ils font face à des défis considérables en matière de services, de main-d’oeuvre, d’administration et de finances en raison d’un soutien politique inadéquat. Les politiques sur le vieillissement doivent tenir compte du travail des OSBL dans différents secteurs et communautés, faciliter les partenariats qui respectent l’autonomie des OSBL, et augmenter le financement des OSBL.
Mots-clés :
- organismes sans but lucratif communautaires,
- infrastructure sociale,
- villes adaptées aux aînés,
- vieillir chez soi,
- pandémie de la COVID-19
Appendices
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10.7202/1006058ar