Well older adults within an urban context: strategies to create and maintain social participation

Introduction: Social participation has been found to promote health and wellbeing for older adults. In this study, well older adults participated in photovoice to explore how they create and maintain social participation while living alone in an urban community in California. Method: Photovoice is an action research method in which people create and discuss photographs, and then share them with legislators, policy makers and health care providers to generate personal and community change. Photographs convey the participants' points of view directly and show others what life is like for a given group of people. Findings: The study found that social participation is promoted through a sense of belonging, acceptance of differences and change, and healthy and active living. Barriers to social participation included access to safe transportation and costs associated with resources. Conclusion: The results of this study are important and inform occupational therapy intervention, such as advocating for community resources, connecting people with available resources, helping older adults to develop healthy routines, and promoting a sense of membership through participation in valued activities to support social participation for older adults living alone in urban environments.