Geographic Information Systems in Community-Based Gerontological Research and Practice

Abstract

Geographic information systems (GIS) can assist researchers and practitioners engaged in community-specific analyses that focus on older populations and their resource environments. Although some gerontologists may be using GIS for data visualization (i.e., to present data in map form), GIS spatial analytical functions appear to be underused in studies of older populations. This article examines the capacity and potential of GIS in gerontological research and practice by (a) briefly defining GIS; (b) describing the utility of some basic GIS visualization and spatial analytical methods using an illustrative, community-based gerontological study; and (c) discussing challenges and opportunities in the application of this information technology.