‘It gives you a reason to be in this world’: the interdependency of communities, environments and social justice for quality of life in older people

Everyday Experiences of People Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Scoping Review

Increasing attention has been paid to the 'voice' of people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, but there is a lack of clarity about how everyday life is perceived from this insider's perspective. This study aimed to explore the everyday life experiences, challenges and facilitators of individuals with MCI and dementia living at home. A scoping review of qualitative studies, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers Manual, was conducted. Eight databases were searched, resulting in 6345 records, of which 58 papers published between 2011 and 2021 were included. Analysis was carried out by descriptive content analysis. Findings were categorized into seven spheres of everyday life: experiences related to the condition, self, relationships, activities, environment, health and social care and public opinions. The results show many disruptions and losses in everyday life and how people try to accommodate these changes. In all areas of everyday life, people show a deep desire to have reciprocal relationships, stay engaged through participation in activities and have a sense of belonging in the community. However, more research is needed on the factors that promote and impede the sense of reciprocity and belonging.

Cross-National Perspectives on Ageing and Place: Implications for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC) agenda has led to a range of policy initiatives aimed at supporting ageing-in-place for older people. Whilst there is case study evidence of how people age across urban contexts, there has been little research exploring cross-national understandings of age-friendly places amongst older people. The objective of this paper is to identify the place experiences of older people living across cities and communities in India, Brazil and the UK and to discuss implications for the AFCC agenda.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 300 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with older people across nine cities and 27 communities in India, Brazil and the UK. The data was analysed using thematic analysis undertaken by each national team and then discussed and revised at collaborative workshops with researchers from each of the three country teams.

RESULTS

The data captures the ways in which place is constructed from the perspective of older people drawing upon social, community and cultural dimensions of ageing across diverse urban environments. We explore how older people negotiate place in the context of their everyday life and identify the relational and interconnected ways in which place attachment, belonging and identity is constructed.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Age-friendly interventions need to attend to the changing physical, social and cultural dimensions of ageing and place. Integrated place-making practices are required to support older people to age in the right place across rapidly transforming urban contexts globally.