Ageing and disability in the British countryside. A perspective from the North Cotswolds

Abstract

Space, location and physical environment are now recognised as significant influences on the life-style and mobility patterns of elderly and disabled people. In sparsely populated rural areas like the North Cotswolds in the West of England the significance of demographic trends for the delivery of social services has been heightened by the implementation of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1900. This paper focuses on the role of home- and community -based telecommunication services in sustaining the independence of these vulnerable groups. It evaluates four models of telecommunication support : 'telephone trees' ; community alarm systems ; telecottages ; and electronic mail systems. These are discussed with regard to client need and community setting.