Growing old in rural and remote Australia
The Australian Journal of Rural Health has published a special issue focusing on older persons’ health in rural, regional and remote Australia.
Jointly edited by Dr Evelien Spelten (La Trobe University) and Professor Oliver Burmeister (Charles Sturt University), the issue draws together 13 research papers that show ageing is not just about institutionalised care, illness and death.
“We have a rapidly ageing population, that is also wealthier, better educated, better housed, and contributes more to both paid and volunteer work,” the report editorial stated.
They point out that “with this growing ageing population, the challenge for our rural health care system is to relate to this population and to align our system of health care with their needs”.
They note that this may need to “... be more diverse and not fitted to a ‘one size fits all seniors’ approach.”
The 13 articles in this special issue of the Journal together advocate for rural health issues, address health research and policy, examine Indigenous and multicultural issues in rural communities, palliative care, and more.
Professor Russell Roberts emphasised the importance of the broad scope of articles which are presented in this issue.
“This issue presents the latest research on a vast variety of topics such as the extent of elder abuse, treating anxiety and depression in older adults, the ageing farming workforce, increasing social participation and examples of successful program initiatives so that older people in the bush get the same level of access to mental health services as those living in the capital cities.”
In addition to challenging widely held misconceptions about growing old, this issue highlights the importance of involving seniors in the research and in the shaping of health care solutions that affect them. This fits closely with the increasing trend to engage with service users to tailor appropriate solutions.
Do you live in a rural or remote area of Australia? What challenges do you face ageing in these areas? Do you think there are benefits? Do the benefits outweigh the challenges?
I have only JUST sold my house in rural western Qld and returned to a Brisbane suburb. Just far too many negatives to stay there, and I have sold at a considerable loss.
Country towns are very isolating for incomers, especially singles. I was brought up in the country, and love the outdoors, actually prefer the country to the city. BUT not for a senior. Though I volunteered with a number of community activities, I was never really one of them. I hada good job in govt, but a new incoming boss made my life and job a nightmare. Despite wanting to work for a number of years I was forced out of the job, and then found it almost impossible to find any other work in the town. Medical treatment for a condition I have was only available in the city, which meant costly and lengthy visits. The local Council rates were dearer than in the city. I did have some friends in the town, but invariably they moved away. There were limited activities for seniors to do, no public transport, extremely limited shopping facilities and no competiton for power supply meant huge power bills. Flights from the town to capital city were dearer than flying to Bali.
Trying to get some home maintenance issues done was a nightmare. I had beautiful timber byfolds that needed some work. But it would have meant taking them out, and shipping them over 350 kms away. Cost would have been nearly $2500. In city - just get someone out and it is done. Tradesmen costs were dearer, car service costs were 3 times what I pay in city.
Luckily, I had not sold my home in the city so moved back, and SO glad I did. I kept my country home for a while, but being negatively geared, on the pension it wasn't viable. The banks want large deposits for country home purchases, and the banks grossly undervalue a house, and will only loan accordingly. So I lowered the price, got an offer, and accepted it. I simply could not have afforded to stay in the country town, costs were just prohibitive. I came across quite a few other people who had mistakenly moved to the country thinking retirement would be better. But they had sold their city homes, and could not get back into city real estate. I just thank heavens I did not sell my city home. So no - definitely any benefits are minor - challengers are major.