Ageing in a changing place: a qualitative study of neighbourhood exclusion

Lena Dahlberg

doi:10.1017/s0144686x1900045x

Lena Dahlberg

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x1900045x

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Abstract

AbstractAn inclusive neighbourhood is a key facilitator enabling older adults to age in place. Neighbourhoods have been identified as a dimension of social exclusion important to older adults, and it has been argued that older adults are particularly vulnerable to neighbourhood change. The aim of this study was to explore older adults’ experiences of neighbourhood exclusion within the context of neighbourhood change. Focus groups were undertaken in the urban and rural areas of a metropolitan borough in England involving a total of 41 older adults, with data analysed via thematic analysis. Urban areas in the borough studied have transformed following the closure of the mining industry, with a high level of deprivation in many areas, while some rural areas have undergone gentrification. Within the context of structural neighbourhood change, four themes were identified: community cohesion, political agency, feelings of safety and the physical environment. The themes were interlinked, which calls for collaboration across traditional lines of professional responsibility, and for research that encompasses different aspects of neighbourhood exclusion. This study contributes with knowledge on older adults’ experiences of exclusion, including novel findings on the importance of political agency and collective memory, and identifies actions to combat exclusion. An active involvement of older adults in the development of initiatives to tackle social exclusion is recommended.

Highlights

At the European Union (EU) level and within many individual European countries, there are two parallel trends in social policy concerning older adults living in the community
The results section starts with a presentation of the participants’ views on structural neighbourhood change, the themes emerging from the data are presented
This study shows that older adults can be strongly emotionally attached to the neighbourhood, at the same time as they experience a lack of political agency

Summary

Introduction

At the European Union (EU) level and within many individual European countries, there are two parallel trends in social policy concerning older adults living in the community. There is an aim that people should ‘age in place’, that is, to remain in their ordinary home and neighbourhood even when faced with increased frailty (Genet et al, 2011). Ageing & Society 2239 environments to which they are accustomed (Rowles, 1993; Wiles et al, 2012), and that neighbourhoods have an important role in older adults’ wellbeing and sense of belonging (Lager et al, 2013). Changing neighbourhoods can challenge social integration and the sense of belonging, and may increase the risk of social exclusion among older adults (Lager et al, 2013)

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Discussion

Conclusion