Geospatial Mapping of Late-Life Couplehood: Dimensions of Joint Participation

Abstract

For older adults aging in place, community mobility affects a constellation of interconnected occupations and can become a problematic aspect of the person–place relationship. The purpose of this research was to examine an older couple’s mutually negotiated change in their community mobility and navigation patterns. Spatial data (using global positioning system [GPS] trackers), maps, activity logs, interviews, and well-being measures were collected longitudinally for both members of a long-married community-dwelling couple. Analyses showed changing patterns of occupational engagement and declining navigation and function over time, as well as three dimensions of joint navigation (intersection of health and abilities, perpetuation of long-term roles through participation, and an orientation toward future potentialities). Findings suggest that joint community navigation is multidimensional and may buffer individual functional losses as well as maximize perception of and performance in meaningful activities. This study also demonstrates the utility of mapping methods to better understand occupation for community-dwelling populations.