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COVID-19 dramatically changed daily life for older adults in numerous and complex ways. Research is calling for an understanding on how COVID-19 has and will impact aging, and older adults’ lived experiences with aging, within the context of the pandemic. Social and physical distancing guidelines have put older adults at an increased risk for social isolation. Intergenerational tensions have also intensified during the pandemic, and early research states the labeling of older adults as a homogenous and “vulnerable” group can lead to an increased risk of ageism in their communities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore how community-dwelling older adults (ages 65 and greater) experience daily life amid the COVID-19 pandemic using a biopsychosocial approach. This study employs a critical qualitative narrative inquiry design. Data will be collected through solicited diaries and semi-structured individual interviews (via telephone and video conferencing software). Data will be analyzed thematically and involve a re-storying of the findings. Preliminary results will be presented and discussed. This study aims to inform new and critical perspectives that broaden our understanding of how the overall health, wellness, and quality of life of older adults can be supported. Findings contribute to the current and developing knowledge of older adults’ first-person accounts of their experiences within the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examined the relationship between the “availability of hugs” and self-rated health (SRH) in later life. Data of 20,258 older adults, aged 65 years and greater, were analyzed from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Logistic regression techniques were used to estimate the association between the availability of hugs and reporting higher SRH. Results demonstrated that participants who had hugs available to them “all,” “most,” and “some” of the time had significantly greater odds of reporting higher SRH than those who reported hugs available to them “none of the time” ( ORrange = 1.31–1.46, 95% CIrange = [1.10–1.74], prange = .01–.001). The availability of hugs was a stronger or more reliable associate of SRH than other established associates. As such, the potential health promoting role of hugs can be supported. Future research should examine the appropriate contexts, settings, and implementation practices for hugging interventions among consenting older adults.

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Grandparents are playing an increasing role in the lives of their grandchildren. Participating in this role enriches grandparent’s well-being through feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction. Research also indicates participating in family leisure positively improves family communication, creates higher quality relationships, and enhances family cohesiveness and connectedness. However, the grandparent perspective, and their inclusion in family leisure, is often overlooked, rendering their voices invisible. Given the growing aging population, and the role grandparents play, their involvement in, and experience with, family leisure is becoming increasingly relevant. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to critically review and explore the available literature on grandparents (ages 65+) experiences with family leisure. This paper critically reflected on benefits of family leisure participation according to the World Health Organizations active aging and healthy aging ideologies. Participation in family leisure provides grandparents with opportunities for social participation, remaining active and engaged through generativity and contribution to family, as well as building, maintaining and enhancing relationships. More research that is inclusive of grandparent’s perspective of, and experience with, family leisure is needed. By taking a socioecological approach to understanding the experiences of grandparents’ participation in family leisure, clear suggestions can be made on how to support grandparent’s involvement in family leisure at the interpersonal, organizational, institutional, community, and policy levels. In particular, future actions and initiatives should simultaneously support family leisure across and within these domains. Promoting family leisure is one way to support active and healthy aging not only among older adults, but among all individuals.