Neighborhood Walkability or Third Places? Determinants of Social Support and Loneliness among Older Adults

Abstract

In the context of creating age-friendly communities, this paper examines the effects of neighborhood walkability and third places on older adults’ social connectedness. The subject was older adult homeowners aged sixty-five years and above in the context of American college towns. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used, controlling personal abilities and sociodemographic factors. Third places positively influenced older adults’ social support network, but it was not associated with loneliness. Objective and perceived neighborhood accessibility had no association with either social support network or loneliness in later life. Findings suggest that planners and developers should prioritize third places in designing for active living.