Ageing in place: a social infrastructure perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how a social infrastructure perspective can enhance research on ageing in place. Design/methodology/approach Conceptual paper. Findings The paper suggests that a social infrastructure perspective can enhance ageing in place research by advancing more critical questions about the where and for whom of ageing in place. Originality/value Whilst a wealth of research exists on the importance of neighbourhood connections for ageing in place, less attention has been paid to the nuance of where neighbourhood connections are formed, or the various types of sociality that are important for different groups of older people. This paper suggests that a social infrastructure perspective can help widen the focus of ageing in place research beyond the usual sites of structured and organised activities in neighbourhoods to instead consider the everyday and overlooked places of social connection and the importance of these spaces for the development of weak ties. The paper also suggests this can help draw attention to social and spatial inequalities of ageing in place.