Identification and engagement of naturally occurring retirement communities to support healthy aging in Canada: A set of methods for replication.

BACKGROUND: Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs), unplanned communities with a high proportion of older adult residents, offer a model to support older adults to age well in place. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive description of the methods used to identify and engage NORCs appropriate for the development of supportive service programming in Canada. METHODS: Three steps were used to identify and select NORCs in which to develop supportive service programming including: 1) identification of potential NORCs using Canadian Census Dissemination Areas, the Ontario Marginalization Index and Google Maps, 2) engagement of property owner/manager to determine the availability of common space for communal programming and willingness of the owner to support programming and, 3) engagement of older adult residents within the NORC to co-design programming. RESULTS: Four cities in the south-east, south-central, and south-west of Ontario, Canada were identified to develop NORCs with supportive service programming. Using the methods described, six NORCs were identified, landlords and older adult residents were engaged, and programs initiated between April 2018 and March 2019. The sites included two private high-rise apartments, a city-owned low-rise subsidized apartment complex, two multi-building private high-rise complexes and a mobile home community. An average of 35 (min 20, max 78) older adult members were engaged in an average of 20.5 unique activity sessions at each site per month. On average, social (54%) and physical activities (30%) were more common than nutritional (10%) and knowledge-sharing (8%). CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of unplanned, geographically-bound NORCs creates an opportunity for governments, social and health service providers and policy makers to support healthy aging in their communities. Our experience with the creation of six new NORCs with supportive service programming provides a tested set of methods that can be applied in other communities.

Social isolation in older adults who are frequent users of primary care services.

OBJECTIVE: To describe older adults who are frequent users of primary care services and to explore associations between the number of primary care visits per year and multiple dimensions that define social isolation. DESIGN: Mailed, cross-sectional survey. SETTING: An urban academic primary care practice in Kingston, Ont. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients aged 70 years and older who attended 12 or more appointments in the previous year with residents, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, or registered practical nurses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Social isolation (size of close social network, loneliness, satisfaction with social participation, frequency of social participation), past and future need for health services related to social issues, and health and functional variables. RESULTS: The participants reported relatively low levels of loneliness, with a mean (SD) score of 4.1 (1.3) out of 9. Overall, 18.9% of participants reported having a small close social network, 45.9% of participants wanted to do more social activities, and 57.5% of participants were isolated according to at least 1 indicator. Some participants (23.1%) had received primary care services related to social issues, and most participants (54.5%) wanted these services in the future, including receiving information about other health services or community resources, or having discussions about loneliness, relationships, or social activities. Number of primary care visits was not associated with any of the 4 indicators of social isolation. CONCLUSION: Social isolation in older, frequent users of primary care services might be more common than previously thought, particularly the aspect of dissatisfaction with social participation. Expanded primary care services and referrals to other services might help to address this population's desires for services related to social issues. Future research could examine the social needs of older primary care attenders and the feasibility of providing related interventions in primary care settings.

Social Connectedness Between Family Caregivers and Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Homes in the Context of COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting restrictions on physical access to long-term care homes culminated in health declines for older adults living there and their families. Knowledge gaps exist regarding maintaining social connectedness when physically separated. The study aimed to explore family members' perceptions of the impact that restrictions on physical access to long-term care homes had on the experience of social connectedness between family members and older adults living in long-term care. The method used was a qualitative description, using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Themes arising from inductive qualitative content analysis of 21 interviews with family members included: (a) lack of connection threatening mental, emotional health, and physical health; (b) navigating trust in the unknown; (c) feelings of stress and anxiety for family members; and (d) technology - an asset, but not for everyone. Study findings suggest more emphasis should be placed on supporting social connections between older adults and their families in the context of long-term care beyond COVID-19.

Health Provider Experiences in Supporting Social Connectedness Between Families and Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Homes.

Introduction: Many people, often older adults, living in long-term care homes (OA-LTCH) became socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic due to variable restrictions on in-person visits and challenges associated with using technology for social connectivity. Health providers were key to supporting these OA by providing additional care and facilitating their connections with family using technology such as smartphones and iPads. It is important to learn from these experiences to move forwards from the COVID-19 pandemic with evidence-informed strategies that will better position health providers to foster social engagement for OA-LTCH across a range of contextual situations. Objective: This exploratory qualitative description study sought to explore health provider experiences in supporting social connectedness between family members and OA-LTCH within the COVID-19 context. Methods: Qualitative, in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 health providers. Results: Using inductive qualitative content analysis study findings were represented by the following themes: (a) changes in provider roles and responsibilities while challenging for health providers did not impact their commitment to supporting OA-LTCH social and emotional health, (b) a predominant focus on OA-LTCH physical well-being with resultant neglect for emotional well-being resulted in collective trauma, and (c) health providers faced multiple challenges in using technology to support social connectivity. Conclusion: Study findings suggest the need for increased funding for LTC to support activities and initiatives that promote the well-being of health providers and OA living in LTC, the need to prioritize social well-being during outbreak contexts, and more formalized approaches to guide the appropriate use of technology within LTC.

Renegotiating environments to achieve participation: A metasynthesis of qualitative chronic disease research.

BACKGROUND: Qualitative studies describe environmental influences on participation in adults with chronic disease, but translating these findings into practice can be difficult. PURPOSE: This study sought to synthesize qualitative research findings regarding the influence of environmental factors on participation among adults with chronic disease. METHODS: Searching revealed 31 I articles that describe the link between environment and participation for adults with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and/or depression. Study findings were analyzed using metasynthesis methods to identify themes. FINDINGS: For adults with chronic disease, renegotiating their environments and occupations to achieve, maintain, or rework their participation involves understanding support processes, being ordinary and able, navigating systems, and navigating physical environments. IMPLICATIONS: Key areas that occupational therapy interventions can target are facilitating constructive collaboration between client and support person, fostering connections with others, recognizing cultural pressure to be ordinary and able, and advocating for supportive policy and practice.

Social Networks May Shape Visually Impaired Older Adults' Occupational Engagement: A Narrative Inquiry.

Age-related vision loss (ARVL) has been shown to interfere with older adults' occupational engagement. The primary purpose was to examine the role social networks play in facilitating/constraining engagement in desired occupations for older adults with ARVL. This study adopted a constructivist narrative methodology. Five older adults, ≥ 60 years of age with ARVL, participated in three virtual interviews, which were coded using thematic analysis. Three overarching themes were identified: (a) Diverse Social Networks Fulfill Different Occupational and Psychosocial Needs, (b) Retaining a Sense of Independence through Seeking Reciprocity in Social Relationships, and (c) Community Mobility and Technology Support as Essential for Preserving Social Relationships. Findings broaden understandings of how informal/formal social networks are involved in shaping visually-impaired older adults' adaptation to ARVL and related occupational changes. Findings may help improve the quality and delivery of low-vision rehabilitation services to optimize their contribution to occupational engagement.

Occupational therapy services in primary care: a scoping review.

AIM: To examine and describe the current evidence about occupational therapy services in primary care. BACKGROUND: Interprofessional primary care teams have been introduced to support the changing demographics and provide more comprehensive and coordinated care. Occupational therapists have the opportunity to play an important role in this expanding area of practice. To do so, occupational therapists must develop roles built on evidence and a clear understanding of the care delivery context. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted based on the scientific and grey literature. Studies that described or examined the occupational therapy role with clients (individuals, groups, communities, populations) of all ages, conditions or occupational issues in a primary care context and that presented or referred to an occupational therapist working in a primary care setting were included. Studies were excluded if they were not in English or French. The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement was used to chart the data. FINDINGS: 129 articles were identified, with 62 non-research and 67 research-focussed articles. A total of 268 assessments and 868 interventions were identified. The top interventions offered by occupational therapists were referring to/advocating for/coordinating/linking to and navigating community services (n = 36 articles), chronic disease management (n = 34 articles)/self-management education (n = 28 articles), health promotion (n = 30 articles) and falls prevention (n = 27 articles). The predominant focus in the literature is on adult and older adult populations.

Taking Refuge in Religion: Buddhist-Oriented Coping following Late-Life Immigration.

Despite a recognition of religion as a resource for coping in later life, few studies have examined how religion is summoned to cope with the stressors of late-life immigration. Drawing upon data generated in a phenomenological study of the aging-out-place experience, this article presents a hermeneutic analysis of textual extracts addressing 10 Sri Lankan-born late-life immigrants' Buddhist beliefs and practices, and how these beliefs and practices contributed to coping with immigration stressors. Four shared experiences facilitated through religious engagement were revealed: religious engagement as a source of purpose, making meaning of suffering and experiencing hope, non-attachment, and connecting to the past and the ethnoreligious community. Late-life immigrants drew on religious engagement to remain resolute amidst adversities, thus reinforcing the importance of culturally responsive milieus and services to support religion-focused coping. Findings are interpreted in relation to Pargament's (1997) theory of religious coping.

Examining Community-Based Housing Models to Support Aging in Place: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With the global population aging, there is a demand for older adults to age in place, that is, to live and age well in their home and community with some level of independence. Community-based housing models exist and may support this process. This scoping review aimed to describe and synthesize the ways in which community-based housing models relate to older adults' aging in place and identify strengths and gaps in the literature. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The housing models explored were villages, naturally occurring retirement communities, congregate housing and cohousing, sheltered housing, and continuing care retirement communities. This exploratory scoping review examined international peer-reviewed literature published from 2004 to 2019. Six databases were searched using terms related to housing models and older adults. Forty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis were used to synthesize study characteristics and findings. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed 4 themes relating to aging in place in the housing models: Social Relations, Health and Well-being, Sense of Self and Autonomy, and Activity Participation. Further analysis identified housing-specific characteristics that appeared to pose barriers to, or enable, aging in place. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: To best support aging in place, the findings of the review suggest multiple characteristics worth considering when developing or relocating to a community-based housing model. Further research is required to understand how facilitating characteristics can promote aging in place for community-dwelling older adults.

The Impact of a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Supportive Services Program on Older Adult Participants' Social Networks: Semistructured Interview Study.

BACKGROUND: Most older adults want to age in place, in their homes and communities. However, this can be challenging for many, frequently owing to lack of supports that allow for aging in place. Naturally occurring retirement community supportive services programs (NORC-SSPs) offer an approach to help older adults age in place. Although qualitative studies have examined the experiences of NORC-SSP participants, little is known about how participation in NORC-SSP programming affects participants' social networks. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the experiences of 13 NORC-SSP residents who participated in Oasis Senior Supportive Living (Oasis) and how participating in NORC-SSP programming, specifically based on the Oasis model, influenced their social networks. METHODS: Participants were recruited, using convenience sampling, from 4 naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) in Ontario, Canada. All participants (13/13, 100%) had participated in Oasis programming. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with participants. Social network theory informed the interview guide and thematic analysis. RESULTS: In total, 13 participants (n=12, 92% women and n=1, 8% men) were interviewed. These participants were from 4 different NORCs where Oasis had been implemented, comprising 2 midrise apartment buildings, 1 low-rise apartment building, and 1 mobile home community. Overall, 3 main themes were identified from the interviews with Oasis participants: expansion and deepening of social networks, Oasis activities (something to do, someone to do it with), and self-reported impact of Oasis on mental health and well-being (feeling and coping with life better). Participants noted that Oasis provided them with opportunities to meet new people and broaden their social networks, both within and outside their NORCs. They also indicated that Oasis provided them with meaningful ways to spend their time, including opportunities to socialize and try new activities. Participants stated that participating in Oasis helped to alleviate loneliness and improved their quality of life. They noted that Oasis provided them with a reason to get up in the morning. However, the experiences described by participants may not be reflective of all Oasis members. Those who had positive experiences may have been more likely to agree to be interviewed. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the participants' interviews, Oasis is an effective aging-in-place model that has been successfully implemented in low-rise apartment buildings, midrise apartment buildings, and mobile home communities. Participating in Oasis allowed participants to expand their social networks and improve their mental health and well-being. Therefore, NORCs may offer an ideal opportunity to build strong communities that provide deep, meaningful social connections that expand social networks. NORC-SSPs, such as Oasis, can support healthy aging and allow older adults to age in place.

Occupational therapy interventions for chronic diseases: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the evidence regarding the effectiveness of community occupational therapy interventions, delivered alone or within a multidisciplinary team, in improving occupational outcomes for adults with selected chronic diseases. METHOD: We completed a scoping review of randomized controlled trials published from 1988 through 2008. Studies included participants with heart disease, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or diabetes. RESULTS: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies found significant differences between intervention and control groups for at least one outcome of function in activities of daily living, functional self-efficacy, social or work function, psychological health, general health, or quality of life. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the impact of intervention on physical function and health. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy can improve occupational outcomes in adults with chronic diseases. Using and building on this evidence, occupational therapists can continue to promote their role in helping to meet this population's needs.

An agenda for occupational therapy's contribution to collaborative chronic disease research.

BACKGROUND: To meet the needs of adults with chronic diseases, Canadian health care is moving toward more interdisciplinary, collaborative practice. There is limited high-quality evidence to support practice in this area. Occupational therapists can play a significant role in this area of practice and research. PURPOSE: To develop an agenda of priority areas within collaborative chronic disease research to which occupational therapy can make a contribution. METHODS: The project involved literature and Internet review, a consensus meeting with a range of stakeholders, a survey of occupational therapists, and synthesis of findings to create a research agenda. FINDINGS: An interdisciplinary and intersectoral group of stakeholders identified seven main priority areas. One priority is specific to occupational therapy while the remaining six cross disciplines. IMPLICATIONS: The research agenda can support funding applications and encourage interdisciplinary research collaboration to ultimately produce research evidence that can benefit people with chronic diseases.

Young drivers' determinants of driving under the influence of cannabis: Findings from the Youth Cannabis and Driving Survey (YouCanDS).

INTRODUCTION: Driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) is proven to increase the risk of collisions and is most common among young drivers (ages 16 to 24). However, little is known about the specific determinants of DUIC behavior among youth, which limits the capacity to develop evidence-based prevention and intervention efforts. This study developed and evaluated a youth DUIC questionnaire, which was used to establish the DUIC determinants of young drivers. METHOD: The questionnaire was based on the theoretical framework of general deterrence and general prevention. Data obtained included: demographics, past cannabis use and DUIC experiences, DUIC intention, experiences riding as a passenger with someone DUIC, knowledge and credibility of the law, attitudes towards DUIC, and social controls. The resulting questionnaire was validated for a sample of 426 young drivers in the province of Ontario, Canada. An ordinal regression was conducted to examine the relationships between questionnaire items and DUIC intention. RESULTS: The questionnaire displayed good construct validity and internal consistency across four out of five domains (KMO and Cronbach α values ≥ 0.70). Of the 426 respondents (52.6% female), 356 (83.6%) reported previous cannabis use, with 296 (69.5%) doing so in the past year, and 142 (33.3%) reporting DUIC. Furthermore, 179 (42%) study participants indicated at least a slight chance of DUIC in the next year. The regression analysis identified six variables predictive of DUIC intention: past DUIC incidence, perceived percent of those convicted that receive the penalty, moral awareness, perceived dangerousness, minor accident risk, and vicarious punishment avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive efforts should emphasize these determinants when designing targeted strategies and interventions. Practical Applications: These efforts should focus on educating the dangers and risk of a vehicle collision, that law enforcement has the capacity to apprehend and appropriately punish individuals DUIC, and that DUIC is wrong and socially unacceptable.

Construct validity of the late life function and disability instrument for adults with chronic conditions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity of the late life function and disability instrument (LLFDI) when applied to adults aged 44-65 years with chronic conditions. DESIGN: We applied a convergent cross-sectional construct validity design to examine the association between the LLFDI subscales and the medical outcomes study (MOS) 36-Item Health Survey Physical Component Score (SF36 PCS), MOS Physical Functioning scale (PF10), 2-minute walk distance (2MWD) and 8-foot walk test (8FWT). PARTICIPANTS: Our sample consisted of 174 community-dwelling adults age 45-65 years with one or more chronic conditions. SETTING: Participants were enrolled at a multidisciplinary family health practice. RESULTS: The LLFDI function correlated strongly with the PF10 (r = 0.84) and moderately with the 2MWD (r = 0.53) and 8FWT (r = -0.48). The LLFDI disability limitation correlated moderately with the SF36 PCS, 2MWD and 8FWT (r = 0.67, 0.45, -0.32, respectively). The LLFDI disability frequency correlated moderately with the SF36 PCS, 2MWD and 8FWT (r = 0.44, 0.33, -0.31). Ninety-five percent confidence intervals on all correlation coefficients excluded zero. CONCLUSION: Cross-sectional convergent validity of the LLFDI was supported when applied to adults 45-65 years of age with chronic conditions.

Older women's engagement in community occupations: Considerations of lifespan and place.

Background: To reach the promise of age-friendly communities, more complete understandings of how participation in community occupations occurs, in place and over time, is needed.Aim: To explore older Canadian women's engagement in community occupations as it occurs over the lifespan and in context.Materials and methods: Data from three selected participants were drawn from an exploration of older adults' social connectedness in neighbourhoods, which involved an ethnographic approach involving narrative interviews, go-along interviews, and activity tracking and follow-up interviews. A transactional lens oriented analysis, considering occupation in place, over time. Analysis involved identifying key storylines and themes and drew on conceptualizations of transition and continuity.Results: The participants' stories revolved around two themes: continuity within leisure over time and social engagement as a work in progress. The participants demonstrated differing patterns of achieving continuity within leisure and worked to maintain social engagement in the face of continually evolving social networks.Conclusions and significance: Findings enhance understandings of transition, continuity and the transactions between person and place that shape leisure and social engagement over time. Occupational therapists can consider community occupations from a transactional lens within services and policy to better support older women's participation and inclusion in neighbourhoods.

Participatory Action Research With Older Adults: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Given population aging, the meaningful involvement of older adults in influencing policy and programs through participatory action research (PAR) is increasingly vital. PAR holds promise for equitable participation, co-learning, community mobilization, and personal and social transformation, however, little scholarly attention has been given to critically evaluating how PAR has been taken up with older adults. The objective of this review was to critically evaluate the use of PAR with older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) of 40 PAR studies with older adults was conducted. Critical engagement with the articles identified dominant tendencies, limits of these tendencies, and proposed ways forward. RESULTS: Within the majority of articles reviewed, older adults were not prominent partners in PAR given their often limited involvement in designing the research questions, learning research skills and knowledge, and implementing findings for change. Furthermore, power differentials between researchers and older adults were evident, as older adults were often positioned as participants rather than partners. Finally, this article demonstrates various boundaries on the foci of studies related to inclusivity and sustainability. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study revealed that the promises PAR holds are often not fully realized in projects with older adults, given that they are rarely positioned as equitable partners, co-learners, or agents for change. The findings have the potential to stimulate further uptake of PAR research with an older adult population, highlighting areas for change in systems and research practices.

Associations Among Neighborhood Characteristics, Mobility Limitation, and Social Participation in Late Life.

OBJECTIVES: Although emerging research suggests neighborhood characteristics can support and restrict social participation in older adults, further research regarding a wider range of neighborhood characteristics and interactions between individual and neighborhood characteristics is needed. This study explored associations between neighborhood characteristics and frequency of participation in three social activities among older adults and interactions between neighborhood characteristics and mobility limitation as they relate to participation. METHOD: Data from the 2008 wave of the Health and Retirement Study linked with American Community Survey data were used. Participants included community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older. Analysis involved multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: High proportion of neighborhood residents aged 65 and older was associated with increased odds of more frequent participation in all three activities. High population density was associated with increased odds of club attendance. High neighborhood social cohesion was associated with increased odds of attending nonreligious meetings. Interactions between walking limitation and population density or social cohesion related to increased odds of participation. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that improving older adults' ability to participate in community life and age in place requires strategies that consider how neighborhood and individual characteristics interact and how these characteristics may differentially affect types of participation.

Measuring Social Participation in the Health and Retirement Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Large data sets have the potential to reveal useful information regarding social participation; however, most data sets measure social participation via individual items without a global assessment of social participation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to assess whether 8 items from questionnaire pertaining to social participation (religious attendance, caring for an adult, activities with grandchildren, volunteering, charity work, education, social clubs, nonreligious organizations) formed a reliable, cohesive scale and to explore the predictive validity of this scale. We included respondents 65 years and older in the HRS who returned the psychosocial questionnaire in 2010 and 2012 with responses to the social participation items (n = 4,317 and n = 3,978). Three scales were explored: SoPart-30 using the original scoring; SoPart-10 using modified scoring; and SoPart-5 using dichotomous scoring. RESULTS: Five items were retained as a single factor for each scale, and graded response models and Mokken scale analysis confirmed the scale items with the SoPart-10 scale having the highest reliability (alpha = 0.74). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that a scale derived from the social participation items in the HRS may be useful in characterizing general social participation levels and identifying modifiable factors that can promote it in older populations.

Initiating Participatory Action Research with Older Adults: Lessons Learned through Reflexivity.

La recherche-action participative (RAP) apporte une perspective intéressante pour la recherche abordant l'exclusion et l'inclusion sociale des personnes âgées. Les exemples et réflexions sur la RAP impliquant des personnes âgées sont rares, en particulier à l'étape de l'initiation de la recherche, lorsque l'action participative cyclique est mise en place. Dans cet article, nous décrivons le démarrage d'un projet de recherche-action participative avec des personnes âgées et analysons la concordance entre ce processus et les principes clés de la participation, ainsi que son arrimage aux structures de recherche typiques. Les résultats soulignent les tensions entre le développement de relations de plus long terme et les demandes de financement préparées dans de courts délais. Cette étude montre comment les conceptions traditionnelles de la recherche peuvent influer sur la création de partenariats équitables et met en évidence la nécessité d'élaborer des lignes directrices en matière d'éthique et de publications qui traitent explicitement des approches participatives. Ces observations clés pourront être appliquées pour utiliser les potentialités de la recherche-action participative, qui consiste à aborder les enjeux importants à travers un travail collaboratif et une approche équitable intégrant les personnes les plus affectées.Participatory action research (PAR) is well suited to research that aims to address social exclusion and inclusion in older age. Illustrations of and reflections on PAR with older adults are scarce, particularly the initiation stage, which sets the stage for the cyclical participatory action that follows. In this article, we describe the initiation of a PAR project with older adults and reflect on the alignment of this process with key participatory principles and fit within typical research structures. Findings point to the tensions between developing relationships over time and time-sensitive calls for funding, how traditional conceptions of research can influence creating equitable partnerships, and the need for development of ethical and publishing guidelines that address participatory approaches. These key insights can be applied to help achieve the potential of PAR: to address issues of concern by collaboratively and equitably working with the people most affected.

Toward Understanding Person-Place Transactions in Neighborhoods: A Qualitative-Participatory Geospatial Approach.

Background and Objectives: Emerging research regarding aging in neighborhoods emphasizes the importance of this context for well-being; however, in-depth information about the nature of person-place relationships is lacking. The interwoven and complex nature of person and place points to methods that can examine these relationships in situ and explore meanings attached to places. Participatory geospatial methods can capture situated details about place that are not verbalized during interviews or otherwise discerned, and qualitative methods can explore interpretations, both helping to generate deep understandings of the relationships between person and place. This article describes a combined qualitative-geospatial approach for studying of older adults in neighborhoods and investigates the qualitative-geospatial approach developed, including its utility and feasibility in exploring person-place transactions in neighborhoods. Research Design and Methods: We developed and implemented a qualitative-geospatial approach to explore how neighborhood and person transact to shape sense of social connectedness in older adults. Methods included narrative interviews, go-along interviews, and global positioning system tracking with activity/travel diary completion followed by map-based interviews. We used a variety of data analysis methods with attention to fully utilizing diverse forms of data and integrating data during analysis. We reflected on and examined the utility and feasibility of the approach through a variety of methods. Results: Findings indicate the unique understandings that each method contributes, the strengths of the overall approach, and the feasibility of implementing the approach. Discussion and Implications: The developed approach has strong potential to generate knowledge about person-place transactions that can inform practice, planning, policy, and research to promote older adults' well-being.