Exploring Co-Occupation Between University Students and Older Adults Living Together in a Retirement Home
Abstract
Intergenerational housing programs in which young and older adults live together have been implemented worldwide, yet research exploring these programs is sparse. An important component of intergenerational living seems to be the activities that young and older adults engage in together. Taking a lens of co-occupation, that is everyday occupations performed together by two or more people, this thesis explored how university students and older adults, living together in a retirement home, enacted co-occupations and the factors that shaped these co-occupations. A focused ethnography, involving interviews and observations, was used to gain insight into the co-occupational experiences of the students and older adults. Thematic analysis of data generated findings regarding the roles of participants, using music as a tool to connect, connecting through informal co-occupations, diverse and mutually beneficial relationships, navigating tensions regarding differing perspectives, and experiencing discrepancies between physical ability and the nature of co-occupations.