• Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare
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• v.74 no.4
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• pp.9-36
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• 2019

The study aims to investigate the perceptions of the elderly residents about their old urban community and pursue the direction of community change based on their opinions. Photovoice method was applied in accordance with the aims of the study to emphasize direct conduct and participation, and to reflect voices of the participants. Participants of the study are 5 female elders who have lived for more than 30 years at Bansong 1 Dong area. They participated the photovoice program including taking pictures, discussions and in-depth interviews about the community lives. 6 theme categories were drawn from the 271 photographs and the data of the discussions and interviews. Images of closed schools, empty houses and markets were dominant, which symbolized the aging and hollowing community. Also, still remained neighbors, traces of the old community, decent welfare facilities showed important meanings to maintain their daily lives vigorous. Based on the results of the analysis, 5 suggestions were made concerning future changes of urban community as follows: maintaining community schools, pursuing age-integrative community development, increasing community based facilities, and promoting elderly initiative participation in policy decisions related to the community.