A review of demographic ageing in the UK: opportunities for rural research

Abstract

Demographic ageing is a global phenomenon. UK policy and research have, until recently, focused on national trends and implications and largely viewed ageing as a ‘pensions and care’ problem. While other and more positive aspects are beginning to be acknowledged, regional, local, and rural impacts remain underinvestigated. This paper, by reviewing the literature from several disciplines and countries, introduces a series of research questions that could usefully inform future geographical inquiry. It argues that the nature, experiences, and consequences of demographic ageing will vary across space, stage in the life course and numerous aspects of our everyday lives. Our current knowledge and understanding are but the tip of the iceberg in terms of the research opportunities that lie ahead. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Circuits of education, rural gentrification, and family migration from the global city

“…In this way, such processes may underpin or consolidate the closure of rural schools in the place of residence. This is in line with the impacts of other expressions of rural gentrification that reduce rural child populations such as retirement-led gentrification (Stockdale, 2006(Stockdale, , 2010. Similarly, the number of children retained on school rolls will be depleted by the proliferation of second-home gentrification and the production of holiday cottages (Gallent, 2009).…”

“Engaging in my rural community”: perceptions of people aged 85 years and over

“…Social networks consisting of friends rather than family has been shown to contribute to resilience in older people, particularly those in the oldest-old age group living in rural communities (Wells, 2009). This is particularly salient when the reality for many older people living rurally is their families do not live close by (Stockdale, 2011). …”

“…This can be partially explained by an exodus of younger people to cities in search of employment and an associated inward migration of older people to rural areas owing to their affordability, as well as for lifestyle choices and the desire to reconnect with rural roots (Stockdale, 2011; Vuin, Carson, Carson, & Garrett, 2016). Consequently, many older people are attracted to rural environments.…”

Planning for population ageing: Ensuring enabling and supportive physical-social environments – Local infrastructure challenges

“…In many cases, adaptations (such as ramps and disability access) have already been made with the prospect that these will be better utilised (PC, 2005). Catering for disability and frailty is essential in responding to population ageing, as disability rates increase steadily with age (ABS, 2010), while frailty is traditionally associated with post-75 year olds (Stockdale, 2011).…”