Theoretical Framework
Cantor’s (1989) Social Care Model was used as the theoretical framework for exploring the
different types, informal- kin, friends and formal- social agency, of seniors’ support that facilitates
rural healthy aging. Cantor’s model (1989) suggests that there are different levels of frailty which
are primarily age dependent: a) young old (aged 65 and 74), requires assistance during episodes of
illness; b) older old (aged 75 to 84), requires help with housekeeping and maintenance; and c)
oldest old (aged 85 and over), needs help with personal care tasks. Respondents were recruited
through convenience sampling which was guided by Cantor’s categories of support. However,
unlike Cantor’s model, our study’s results found that age was not representative of one’s level of
frailty and need for support. Respondents were recruited with the help of local community partners
who were members of the research team. The community partners were in continual
communication with the research team and provided a lead role in identifying the respondents who
were interested in participating in the study. Respondents did not include seniors residing in nursing
homes or full care homes.