The Hidden Geographies of Ageing in Rural Areas

Abstract

This paper underlines that ageing in rural areas is a very complex and multilevel interdependent process which is based on networks—the later is being created by interrelations among a mentally constructed (individual perception of person aged 65+), the formalized (involvement of different relevant stakeholders) and the material (rural areas) environments. We argue that these networks are crucial for the creation of age-friendly rural areas. However, the networks—their establishment, the functioning, the form—are less frequent in research on ageing in rural areas. Therefore, we focus on the hidden geographies of these networks: where are the networks placed, who is included, what kind of relationships is performed, how they are addressing the actual needs and expectations of ageing populations in rural areas. For the further analysis of the significance of these networks, a wide longitudinal research is needed. The hidden needs and expectations, hidden information, hidden knowledge, hidden skills, hidden networks of actors are all creating the contemporary landscape of ageing that is not a win–win situation for ageing in rural areas. We would like to underline that ageing in rural areas becomes friendlier when these networks become visible and operational—since this would open up the field for the creation of new job opportunities in rural areas, also for the fine-tuning of existing and the future development of essential social and economic infrastructure, which is relevant for age-friendly rural communities. Re-organization of public care for elderly on national as well as on the local level is expected, new forms of health and social services need to be developed aiming at more efficiency and financial sustainability.