What community characteristics help or hinder rural communities in becoming age-friendly? Perspectives from a Canadian prairie province

J Appl Gerontol. 2015 Jun;34(4):444-64. doi: 10.1177/0733464813496164. Epub 2013 Sep 9.

Abstract

Age-friendly initiatives are increasingly promoted as a policy solution to healthy aging, The primary objective of this article was to examine older adults' and key stakeholders' perceptions of the factors that either help or hinder a community from becoming age-friendly in the context of rural Manitoba, a Canadian prairie province. Twenty-four older adults and 17 key informants completed a qualitative interview. The findings show that contextual factors including size, location, demographic composition, ability to secure investments, and leadership influence rural communities' ability to become age-friendly. Government must consider the challenges these communities face in becoming more age-friendly and develop strategies to support communities.

Keywords: age-friendliness; qualitative analysis; rural communities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Independent Living*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Manitoba
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception*
  • Residence Characteristics / classification*
  • Rural Population*