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The barriers and enablers to service access for older women living alone in Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 September 2020

Marissa Dickins Open the ORCID record for Marissa Dickins [Opens in a new window] ,
Georgina Johnstone Open the ORCID record for Georgina Johnstone [Opens in a new window] ,
Emma Renehan ,
Judy Lowthian  and
Rajna Ogrin Open the ORCID record for Rajna Ogrin [Opens in a new window]
Marissa Dickins*
Affiliation:
Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia Southern Synergy, Department of Psychiatry at Monash Health, Southern Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Georgina Johnstone
Affiliation:
Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
Emma Renehan
Affiliation:
Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia Beyond Blue, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia
Judy Lowthian
Affiliation:
Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Institute of Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Rajna Ogrin
Affiliation:
Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia Biosignals for Affordable Healthcare, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia Austin Health Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Older women living alone are at risk of being socially and financially disadvantaged, which impacts their wellbeing. Currently there is a significant gap in knowledge relating to older women living alone. This study aimed to identify the barriers and enablers to service access in this group. We undertook a qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Thematic analysis was conducted to elucidate key themes. Thirty-seven women were interviewed between May and August 2017. Six key themes were identified: financial; mental and emotional health; mobility and ability; transport; social connections; and knowledge. Access issues for older women living alone are multifaceted and interconnected. Barriers and enablers to service access, as well as their intersections with gender and living situation, should be considered in service design and re-design.

Keywords

womenqualitative research methodssocial servicesinequity
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 42 , Issue 4 , April 2022 , pp. 849 - 867
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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