Constructing Well-being Together: Older Adults Engagement in Coproduction through Volunteering

Abstract

Many older adults participate in the local community through volunteering, and oftentimes they not only contribute positively to the community, but also become more attuned to an active and healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, engaging in reciprocal activities, known as coproduction, can facilitate older adults to boost their well-being. In this study, we are interested in understanding how older adults engage in coproduction with one another when volunteering, and how these coproductions support their well-being. We conducted interviews and observations with 19 healthy older adults who are part of a local water monitoring volunteer group. Our findings suggest that older adult's well-being is supported through four facets of coproduction; a sense of purpose, mutual support, engaged problem solving and co-location enabled physicality. We suggest that designing technologies to support coproduction should consider increasing the visibility of synergy as well as bring awareness to coproduction outcomes.