Sharing experiences through photovoice: Older people experiencing homelessness express the importance of built environmental features to age in the right place

Abstract

The concept of aging in the ‘right’ place (AIRP) takes the well-known concept of aging in place one step further by emphasizing that older adults’ environment must support their diverse needs and vulnerabilities to age optimally. The concept of AIRP facilitates the application of an intersecting lens of diversity in later life, including low-income and housing insecure older adults. This study aims to understand how older people experiencing homelessness (OPEH) residing in temporary/transitional housing experience AIRP in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. Photovoice data were collected with 11 residents (aged 50+) between 2021 and 2022. Utilizing photovoice methodology enabled participants to showcase—through picture and dialogue—specific built and social environmental elements that facilitate or create barriers to AIRP. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Themes that impacted OPEH’s ability to AIRP revolve around 1) access to onsite and offsite supportive services, 2) proximity and access to nearby amenities, 3) application of universal design principles, and 4) having independence and control in daily actions and personalization of spaces. In conclusion, the photovoice methodology provided an opportunity for OPEH to actively engage in research, share their stories through visual representations, and reflect on key social and physical environmental features that are important to AIRP. Findings offer lessons learned on how OPEH can take part in participatory action research to amplify their voices and share their experiences through storytelling and photo taking to actively contribute to closing the knowledge and practice gap.