"We need more things for us": Being low income and underoccupied in older age

Low-income older adult populations have increased vulnerability to occupational engagement barriers and poor health outcomes while aging in community settings.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between community navigation and well-being for low-income older adults.

Community-dwelling older adults (N = 10) were recruited for this multimethod observational cohort study, which employed GPS data, measures of well-being, and semistructured interviews across 12 months. Grounded theory processes were followed to analyze and integrate the qualitative, quantitative, and spatial data.

Findings were three patterns of community navigation. In particular, patterns of being chronically underoccupied were noted for this low-income population. Specific place-based challenges are explained along with strategies used to mitigate these challenges.

Supporting community navigation, especially social interaction opportunities, can maximize well-being; and older residents' occupational participation may be unnecessarily curtailed by geographic, economic, and social factors beyond their control. Community navigation strategies should be considered holistically by occupational therapists as part of interventions supporting aging in place.