Establishing and maintaining social connectivity: An understanding of the lived experiences of older adults residing in regional and rural communities. (30th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buys, Laurie; Burton, Lorelle; Cuthill, Michael; Hogan, Anthony; Wilson, Bruce; Baker, Douglas
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of rural health. Volume 23:Number 5(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2015-04-30
• Subjects: Rural health -- Periodicals; Rural health -- Australia -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1038-5282

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To better understand how to plan for an ageing demographic that resides in ever‐changing community typologies.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Community settings in rural and regional towns in Queensland.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>Twenty‐two people aged over 65 years living in regional and rural Australia.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Interventions</title> <p>Qualitative study of social connectedness.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Main outcome measure(s)</title> <p>Thematic qualitative analysis.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Formal and informal social contact, through family, friends and social groups, was found to be important to the everyday lives of the participants.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajr12196-sec-0008" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Social connections for older adults are important in maintaining independence and community engagement.</p> </sec> </abstract>