Aging & Social Change: Fourteenth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

As global populations age, understanding the social dynamics of aging becomes crucial. This study employs a novel mixed-method version of Social Network Analysis to explore ‘spatial capital’—the impact of place on elderly social interactions in Singapore. By examining the network patterns of 1,100 seniors and conducting a further qualitative analysis of 30 seniors, the research underscores how ‘third places’ such as corridors, smoking corners, religious spaces, and eateries facilitate transient connections marked by shared laughter and companionship, that add value to one’s care network. Seven typologies of care relationships are identified, encompassing Friendship Clusters, Kinship Clusters, and Alternate Companions. Each typology reveals distinct social patterns and spatial engagements. For instance, seniors who belong to the ‘Seeking Groupies’ typology proactively expand their social networks in both formal and informal settings, using space as a strategic tool to grow their circles. Conversely, ‘Familiar Confidants’ maintain closed, stable networks, in private spaces. Meanwhile, ‘Communal Gazers’ thrive in shared spaces without pursuing deep connections, demonstrating how spatial contexts shape transient yet meaningful social interactions. This investigation into spatial capital highlights the role of place as a ‘broker’ in structuring support networks for older adults, possessing capacities to bridge and bond social groups. The findings call for a re-evaluation of how space can be strategically utilized to boost social support among seniors, contributing to a nuanced understanding of care amidst care’s ‘community turn’.