(Un)availability of Social Provisions and the Framing of Loneliness by Black Older Adults in Canada: A Qualitative Narrative Study

Despite the severe implications of loneliness on racialized older adults’ well-being, little is known about this experience among Black older adults. This paper explores how Black older adults in Canada frame the (un)availability of different social provisions and their interplay with loneliness experiences, drawing on the firsthand experiences of 13 Black older adults ( n = 5 male and n = 8 female) with a mean age of 63.8, who were purposefully recruited using narrative inquiry methodology. Analysis of narratives by Black older adults revealed that getting involved with people, intimacy, and belongingness are crucial in establishing a reliable social provision. While many participants emphasized the critical role of social connections and reliable relationships in alleviating loneliness, disparities in access to these essential social ties were noted among Black older adults. This highlights the urgent need to establish more inclusive and supportive environments that effectively address loneliness and social isolation for this population.