Home beyond the house: later life experiences of place in a small community

• Main Author: Harvey, Jennifer Margaret Elizabeth
• Other Authors: Cloutier, Denise S.
• Language: English; en
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: human geography; older people; Vancouver Island; British Columbia; UVic Subject Index::Humanities and Social Sciences::Social Sciences::Geography
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1828/2198

This is a geographical study of the experience of place for older adults in the rapidly growing area known as `Oceanside' on Vancouver Island. Oceanside's population is one of Canada's oldest: more than 40% are aged 55 and over. The goal of the research is to explore notions of home and community, place and space, and to consider the implications for planning future environments for an aging population. Qualitative analysis of 27 in-depth interviews suggests that the physical, social, cultural and structural environments are multi-layered. When considering a move to the area, it was physical environment that was most important. Once participants moved to the area, social and cultural environments became central in their lives. Finally, the structural environment, particularly the shortage of health services, may cause people to leave the area. Personal identity and past place experience influence participants' experience of the present and their hopes for the future.