The interrelationship between place and critical life transitions in later life social exclusion: A scoping review.

Abstract

Understanding the role of place in protecting against social exclusion (SE) and risk during critical life transitions (CLTs) in older age is essential to create effective community-level ageing policies. However, existing knowledge is diffuse across a range of literatures and lacks coherency. Through a two-stage scoping review, this paper aims to synthesise state-of-the-art international research linking place, old-age SE and CLTs. Findings show that: (1) place serves as a setting for, and as a mediator of exclusion resulting from CLTs and (2) theoretical conceptualisation to address the intersection of CLTs, place and SE in later life is underdeveloped. The implications of the state of scientific knowledge on this topic are discussed in relation to future research needs and ageing in place policy.