Policy on the Frontlines: Community Nonprofit Organizations Working with Older Adults During COVID-19 in Montréal

Type of resource
Authors/collaborators
Title
Policy on the Frontlines: Community Nonprofit Organizations Working with Older Adults During COVID-19 in Montréal
Abstract
The authors note that community nonprofit organizations (CNPOs) are a key part of the social infrastructure supporting older adults who age in place. However, political research and policies, including age-friendly cities initiatives, often overlook their role. To address this gap, the authors examined CNPO work in Montreal during the COVID-19 pandemic. They conducted an environmental scan of organizations supporting older adults in core age-friendly areas, including transportation, housing, social care, social participation, and communication and technology. In November 2021, they distributed bilingual surveys to 60 CNPOs identified through the scan and received 20 responses from distinct organizations, including 15 in French and 5 in English. Their analysis shows that CNPOs became even more critical as frontline social service providers during the pandemic. Although these organizations help fill gaps in public and private support systems, they continue to face major service, staffing, administrative, and financial pressures due to limited policy support. The authors conclude that aging policy should better recognize CNPO contributions across sectors and communities, support partnerships that preserve CNPO autonomy, and strengthen CNPO funding.
Publication
Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research / Revue canadienne de recherche sur les OSBL et l’économie sociale
Date
2025
Volume
Vol. 16
Issue
no. 2
Pages
1-18
URL
Language
en
Citation
Joy, Meghan, Laurie Fournier, Kate Marr-Laing, and Shannon Hebblethwaite. “Policy on the Frontlines: Community Nonprofit Organizations Working with Older Adults During COVID-19 in Montréal.” Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research / Revue canadienne de recherche sur les OSBL et l’économie sociale Vol. 16, no. 2 (2025): 1–18. https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/cjnser/2025-v16-n2-cjnser010577/1123312ar.pdf.
Find in a library
Permalink