Using Photovoice With Older Adults in Canada: A Scoping Review of Methodological Applications, Adaptations, and Impacts

Background Photovoice is increasingly used with older adults to explore lived experience and support change, yet its implementation, adaptation, and pathways to change remain unclear. Objective To examine photovoice use with older adults in Canada, including methods, adaptations, participant experiences, knowledge translation activities, and documented change. Methods Following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidance, five databases were searched through September 2025. Thirty-one publications representing 27 unique studies were included. Results Studies addressed diverse age-related topics. Adaptations supported accessibility, technology use, communication, and flexible participation. Participant-level experiences were reported in all 27 studies, interpersonal or group-level processes in 16, and completed dissemination or stakeholder engagement in 11. Two studies reported some organizational or program-level implementation, but neither evaluated its outcomes or sustainability. No study evaluated sustained community-, policy-, or system-level change. Conclusion More consistent reporting, participant involvement, and explicit pathways to action are needed to maximize photovoice’s contribution to gerontology.