Hope Mimbs

Digital spaces, including online communities, are increasingly vital components of the social networks in which individuals age. These communities can prevent isolation and strengthen social connections during a life stage when networks often shrink. Studies, however, have given limited attention to examining how these communities challenge ageism—a pervasive, but often overlooked, form of inequality. To address this issue, we use data from Gransnet, a popular social networking site for older adults that was created in the United Kingdom in 2011. We conducted thematic and discourse analyses of 110 thread posts and more than 5000 comments made in the site's ‘Everyday Ageism’ discussion forum. Analyses revealed that participants challenged ageism in three ways. First, they legitimized older adults' knowledge through the exchange of support among age peers. Second, they asserted older adults' value by identifying ways they contribute to broader society. Third, they promoted a critique of ageism and shared strategies for navigating it. Our study underscores the importance of considering the broader system of age inequality in which online communities for older adults are located. It shapes the social relationships that emerge in these communities and the content of the interactions that sustain them—which, in turn, can challenge ageism both in and outside digital spaces.

Drowsy driving is a major cause of motor vehicle injuries and fatalities, yet little is known about its impact on older adults. This group may face heightened risk due to age-related sleep issues. Using survey data from 3,411 Floridians aged 60 and older (collected in 2020/2021), we examined how self-rated sleep quality relates to two indicators of driving safety: frequency of self-reported distracted driving behaviors (e.g., texting, eating, and grooming) and involvement in a crash or near-crash in the past year. Regression results showed that poor sleep quality did not significantly predict distracted driving but was associated with increased odds of a crash or near-crash. Our findings, which partially align with studies of younger drivers, highlight the need to understand how the relationship between sleep and driving safety may change with age.

The increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes induced by climate change, heighten the importance of understanding the emergency preparedness and needs of older adults with disabilities. This segment of the population faces an elevated risk of injury or death in hurricanes and other weather‐related emergencies, but little is known about their preparation for and evacuation intentions regarding such emergencies. Even less is known about communities' readiness to address older adults with disabilities' needs during emergencies. We examine hurricane readiness at the individual level using data from an online survey of Floridians aged 50 and older (n = 3918) and at the county level using administrative data from 65 of Florida's 67 counties. Results of individual‐level analyses revealed that older adults with self‐reported mobility or vision impairments had lower odds of being hurricane prepared, suggesting they may have unmet needs in such emergencies. Results of county‐level analyses yielded mixed results. Although counties with higher proportions of their residents having limited abilities tended to have more special needs emergency shelters, counties with higher proportions of their residents using special equipment tended to have fewer—rather than more—such shelters. Our study provides insight that can inform policies aimed at safeguarding older adults with disabilities from the risks posed by the warming planet's intensifying storms.