Theorizing “Place” in Aging in Place: The Need for Territorial and Relational Perspectives

Yarker, Sophie; Doran, Patty; Buffel, Tine

Abstract

This paper argues for a greater theorization of “place” within aging-in-place research. It extends calls for a relational conceptualization of place by demonstrating the need for aging-in-place researchers to also pay greater attention to territorial aspects of place. This complementary understanding will help establish a new spatial grammar within aging-in-place research, that not only would improve conceptual clarity to aging in place, but would also support a more critical engagement of aging in place in questions of inequality. The paper demonstrates this through a discussion of 2 forms of inequality pertinent to older people: the uneven capacity of places to support older people and experiences of social exclusion in relation to place attachment for older people from marginalized groups.

Citation

Yarker, S., Doran, P., & Buffel, T. (2024). Theorizing “Place” in Aging in Place: The Need for Territorial and Relational Perspectives. Gerontologist, 64(2), https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 1, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jan 19, 2023
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 16, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 20, 2024
• Journal: The Gerontologist
• Print ISSN: 0016-9013
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-5341
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad002