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Insights and principles for supporting social engagement in rural older people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2012

J. WALKER ,
P. ORPIN ,
H. BAYNES ,
E. STRATFORD ,
K. BOYER ,
N. MAHJOURI ,
C. PATTERSON ,
A. ROBINSON  and
J. CARTY
J. WALKER*
Affiliation:
School of Rural Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
P. ORPIN
Affiliation:
Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
H. BAYNES
Affiliation:
Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
E. STRATFORD
Affiliation:
School of Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
K. BOYER
Affiliation:
Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
N. MAHJOURI
Affiliation:
Department of Health and Human Services, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
C. PATTERSON
Affiliation:
Tasmanian Council of Social Service, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
A. ROBINSON
Affiliation:
School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
J. CARTY
Affiliation:
Department of Health and Human Services, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
*
Address for correspondence: Judi Walker, School of Rural Health, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Staying socially engaged is known to improve health and longevity in older people. As the population ages, maintaining levels of social engagement among older people becomes increasingly important. Nevertheless, advancing age brings with it many challenges to social engagement, especially in rural areas. A three-year Australian Research Council Linkage Project sought to improve understandings of age-related triggers to social disengagement in six Tasmanian communities that are representative of rural Australian experience, and thus of wider salience. A collaboration between academics and health and social professionals, the project investigated design solutions for service frameworks that may be useful before ageing individuals become isolated and dependent, and that may support those individuals to actively contribute to and benefit from social life. The purpose of this paper is to report on perspectives about diminishing levels of social engagement held by older rural participants and service providers, and to advance a number of key insights on ways in which to nurture social engagement and improve the experience of ageing.

Keywords

ageinghealthsocial engagementrural areasservice frameworksqualitative methodsAustraliaTasmania
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 33 , Issue 6 , August 2013 , pp. 938 - 963
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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