'This is where I can be myself': places that enable flourishing in older age

Access to neighbourhood places is considered an important part of enabling older adults to age in place. However, understanding of the enabling features of places and how they generate the conditions necessary for the experience of wellbeing and flourishing amongst older people remains limited. Drawing on the concept of 'enabling places' (Duff, 2011, 2012) this paper examines how older adults negotiate physical, social and affective place resources to pursue the 'personal projects' that enable wellbeing and flourishing. In-depth interviews were conducted with 45 people aged 50 years and over living in socio-economically diverse areas of Scotland, UK. Four types of enabling places were identified: 'places to relax and restore', 'places to connect with others', 'places I can stretch myself' and 'places I can be myself'. Key findings indicate the importance not only of the restorative properties of places but how places enable instoration, a longer-term strengthening of self-identity. Further, while natural environments were reported as the most difficult to access, difficulties in the environment could also offer participants opportunities for self-development. Analysis identified that place resources are not equally distributed, and that the unequal distribution of resources may prevent older people from developing the agency and capacities that support flourishing. The role of enabling places opens up avenues for further research enquiry, to explore how places and environments can support people to overcome perceived barriers to getting outdoors, but also to help people develop their own identity, confidence, and learn new skills, in other words, to flourish in older age.