To address the numerous challenges associated with aging, increased attention has been given to the development of age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC) to promote healthy aging and social participation. However, limited evidence exists for addressing both health and social needs through the AFCC framework. We address this gap by conducting a scoping review of the interventions that target both health and social outcomes within the purview of the AFCC framework. The results showed that many of the successful interventions used a partnership model and behavioral change theories to inform the program design and implementation. The results also indicated that social participation and engagement played a key role in making the interventions successful. However, the results revealed that the literature is dominated by person-focused approaches. Future research should focus more on evaluating environmental-focused interventions and develop a holistic framework that combines both person- and environment-based approaches to healthy aging.

Formal and informal networks of resources are critical to supporting the growing number of older adults aging in place (AIP). Data are needed from aging-service providers about assets and barriers that impact their abilities to support AIP during the pandemic, as well as emergent needs resulting from response measures. A series of World Café workshops were conducted with aging-service providers in Salt Lake City, Utah, to understand supportive factors, service gaps, and future needs. Novel domains to support AIP in the context of the pandemic were identified: digital access and literacy, social isolation and mental health, and emergency preparedness. Issues related to access, equity, and affordability were identified as overarching themes across domains. Issues reflect concern over how the pandemic exacerbated socioeconomic and cultural disparities impacting older adults who benefit from aging services. Networks of advocacy and support are needed to bolster resources for older adults, caregivers, and aging-service providers.

Background and Objectives: Response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic required rapid changes to physical, social, and technological environments. There is a need to understand how independent-living older adults are adapting to pandemic-borne transformations of place and how environmental factors may shape experiences of aging well in the context of a public health emergency response. Research Design and Methods: We conducted a photovoice study to examine the characteristics associated with aging in place. Our study investigated how independent-living older adults characterized aging in a “right” place approximately 1 year after the onset of the pandemic. Results: Six themes categorized into 2 groups capture how older adults describe a “right” place to age. The first category, “places as enactors of identity and belonging,” describes the significance of places contributing to intimate relationships, social connections, and a sense of personal continuity. The second category, “places as facilitators of activities and values,” recognizes environments that promote health, hobbies, goals, and belief systems. Participants reported modifying their daily living environments with increased use of technology and more time outdoors. Discussion and Implications: Our findings emphasize older adults’ active engagement with place and strategies used to maintain healthy aging despite public health restrictions. The results also identify place-based characteristics that may help overcome stressful circumstances from older adults’ perspectives. These findings inform pathways to pursue to facilitate resiliency for aging in place.

Given the significant impact the pandemic has had on the lives of older adults, research is needed to understand how conceptions of ageing in place and attitudes about living independently may have shifted during a time marked by significant environmental change. There is a gap in knowledge about how older adults characterise positive support for ageing in place in response to rapid changes in physical and social environments, including home confinement, reduced social interaction and greater barriers to resources. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a photovoice study with community-dwelling older adults (N = 17) to understand how their experiences of adapting to pandemic conditions influenced their attitudes and behaviours towards ageing in place. We organised data into five themes: (1) the importance of proximity to family and loved ones; (2) the ability to balance safety and social connectivity; (3) an increased appreciation for the outdoors; (4) new platforms for learning; and (5) the role of inner belief systems. Adapting attitudes, expectations and behaviours through physical, social and personal domains highlights the role of change within an ecological framework of ageing. Findings contribute to the ongoing discourse about ageing in place within an ecological framework by identifying changes that older adults make at individual, interpersonal and system levels. This paper adds to the literature by identifying characteristics of ageing in place that community-dwelling older adults prioritise in the pandemic era. The paper also contributes to a growing body of research that elicits participation and offers the co-creation of knowledge with older adults. Lessons learned from the pandemic will continue to shape and inform future policies on ageing in place.