Ageing in changing community contexts: Cross-border perspectives from rural Ireland and Northern Ireland

Abstract

A B S T R A C TOngoing demographic, social, economic and cultural changes point to the dynamic and continually changing contexts of rural areas in Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, the influence of such changes on the lives of older people remains underexplored, particularly the question of how older people perceive, connect to and engage in their communities. Drawing on interviews and focus groups with indigenous and non-indigenous older people in three case-study sites in Ireland, Northern Ireland and a cross-border region, this article presents a comparative analysis of how changing community contexts have shaped the lives of rural-dwelling older people. The analysis focuses on four key areas: economic structure and service access; social relations and social cohesion; meanings and attachments; and community engagement. While the findings demonstrate that some dimensions of participants' lives were affected by complex economic and social changes, others dimensions were connected in a more significant way to life course and residential history and the desire to maintain community capacity.

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

“…As people age, they tend to spend more time at home and in their neighbourhoods (Gardner, 2011). Research in rural areas of Ireland (Walsh et al, 2012) found that older people depended on neighbours to be there when needed, as also evident in the findings of this study.…”

“…Research has shown that rural communities with high walkability are associated with independence and increased social interactions (Bacsu et al, 2014). Other studies have revealed difficulties accessing public transport services and the heavy reliance on owning a car, and being able to drive, as a barrier for older people living in rural environments to maintain friendships and keep in touch with significant others (Walker et al, 2013; Walsh, O’Shea, Scharf, & Murray, 2012). Social networks typically consist of family, friends and neighbours (Cornwell, Laumann, & Schumm, 2008).…”

An integrative review of the factors related to building age‐friendly rural communities

“…Furthermore, the oldest old age group, 80 years and over, is estimated to triple by 2050 (United Nations 2013). While longevity is a positive reflection of advancements in medical science, public health practices and the economy, there is a tendency to problematise the ageing population fuelled by assumed ill-health and frailty that generates concerns regarding society's ability to support the needs of an ageing population (Powell 2010, Walsh et al 2012.…”

“…For example, in 2013, 23 per cent of the rural population in Canada was over the age of 65 years compared to the national average of 13% (Keating et al 2013) and in Ireland, of those aged 65 years and over, 44% live in rural areas (Walsh et al 2012). The paucity of research on the participation of older people ageing in a rural context has been widely asserted in the literature (Keating et al 2011, Burholt & Dobbs 2012, Bacsu et al 2014.…”

Access to a Car and the Self-Reported Health and Mental Health of People Aged 65 and Older in Northern Ireland

“…Because the provision of public transport in rural areas is often inadequate for older people (Heenan 2010;Walsh et al 2012;Shergold, Pankhurst, and Musselwhite 2012;Wenger 2001), having a car can be crucial to remain mobile (O'Connor et al 2013), access services such as shops and GP practices, and to maintain social contacts (Walsh and Ward 2013;Scharf and Bartlam 2008;Bauer, Rottunda, and Adler 2003). Consequently, having no access to a car is often linked to social exclusion and isolation of older people (McDonagh 2006;Walsh and Ward 2013;Shergold, Pankhurst, and Musselwhite 2012;C.…”