Emergent Connections: A Community-Based Model for Advancing Social Connection Among Immigrant Older Adults with Disabilities
Laurent Reyes, Lizette SuarezAbstract
Background and Objectives
Social isolation is an urgent public health concern, especially for older immigrants who face heightened barriers to social participation due to disability, structural health inequities, and limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This study presents a programmatic model that explains how social connection and sustained participation can be fostered through accessible, culturally responsive, and participatory design.
Research Design and Methods
This community-engaged case study examines a national virtual program serving Spanish-speaking older adults, many of whom have sensory disabilities and chronic illnesses. A thematic and comparative analysis was conducted using qualitative interviews with ten older adults with vision impairment, program documents, and consultation with program leadership. This led to the identification of a programmatic model, the emergent connections platform.
Results
The emergent connections platform strengthens loosely connected social networks among older adults who share cultural and lived experiences through three pillars. The first is cultural, linguistic, and physically accessible infrastructure. Second, shared governance cultivates member leadership and program co-creation. Third, a flexible structure allows for evolution in response to member needs and innovations. These pillars collectively create pathways for individuals to engage, lead, and strengthen their communities.
Discussion and Implications
Advancing a more inclusive democracy requires sustained investment in accessible, community-led initiatives that support the leadership and innovation of marginalized older adults. This calls for moving towards models that position older adults as co-creators of programs and services. Doing so cultivates social connection through leadership, reciprocity, and a sense of belonging within a broader social fabric.