Ageing Well in Place: A Capability Approach

Despite the continued attention on ageing in place on the one hand, and ageing well on the other, these concepts lack explicit integration. This article addresses this conceptual gap by reviewing existing literature on both ageing in place and ageing well, before integrating these terms using a Capability Approach to explore what it means to ‘age well in place’. The article presents an understanding of ageing well informed by Amartya Sen's Capability Approach, where quality of life is determined by the extent that individuals can pursue and realise their most valued functionings, which often require an engagement with both people and places beyond the home. Drawing on health geographical understandings of the ways that health is shaped by place, this article argues for more person-centred, place-based and equitable policy responses that integrate ageing well and ageing in place to better support older people to thrive in their communities.