Saqqummersitaq

Residents across the Baffin Bay/Davis Strait (BBDS) region have experienced common challenges in relation to rapid development and changes in living conditions, and they continue to adapt to the legacy of colonization. However, there are still significant symptoms of social problems and mental vulnerability. The strong relation to nature and the importance of artistic creativity and cohesion remain central to the life of Inuit. These factors are of great importance for mental health and well-being.

The background of the study reported in this chapter was the growing number of chronically ill patients. The purpose was to explore patients’ perspectives on life with chronic illness and how it relates to healthcare practice. The research was conducted as an ethnographic field study. A conclusion of the study is that the disease-oriented healthcare system is not geared to deal with rehabilitation because of a narrow focus on disease and treatment, and the exclusion of patients’ knowledge. However, knowledge about patients’ everyday life and perspectives hold potentials for rehabilitative and health promotional professional interventions.

This article focuses on the methodology of the project Ageing in the Arctic (AgeArc) – Wellbeing, Quality of Life and Health
Promotion among Older People in Greenland, and how the use of a collaborative approach aims at integrating ageing research,
practices and policies to the benefit of the Greenlandic society. Thus, the aim of the article is to discuss how collaboration between
research and practice can be an important factor in sustainable development of welfare solutions for older people in Greenland.
In the project we study ageing policy, homecare, institutions, professional practices and municipal administration of these as well
as older people’s health, well-being, everyday life and historical perceptions of the roles of older people in Greenland. Moreover,
researchers and municipalities collaborate on developing policies, initiatives within municipalities and civil society as well as
creating network across the municipalities and between municipal administrations and civil society. In addition to this, we
develop educational material for healthcare workers and professionals and work to create more public awareness about ageing
in Greenland. We present three examples of our collaborative methods and discuss how the approach influences development
and implementation of specific co-creation projects involving researchers, professionals and citizens on equal terms.