Ageing well at home: interconnected care and addressing challenges in regional australia
1
Centre > Health Equity in Regional and Remote Communities C>HERRC, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, Australia
2
The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Australia
3
Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Ageing well at home is a key aspiration for many older adults, where connection to place, independence, and community ties are central to quality of life. However, an ageing population, shifting demographic trends, increasing resource demands and persistent workforce shortages have contributed to a crisis in services to support healthy ageing. In rural and regional areas, these issues are exacerbated by access barriers and resource limitations, with dispersed populations and inadequate infrastructures further compounding the sustainability of aged care services in these communities. Amidst significant policy and program change in this domain, there is a need to understand local community perspectives that shape their experiences of ageing.
METHODS:
A qualitative study in the Central Highlands of Queensland, Australia explored how the community would like to age, support structures and initiatives, with perspectives of health/community services and industry; and community members aged 55+. The research was underpinned by a social justice perspective, drawing on critical theory to align with the study’s focus on codesign and innovation.
RESULTS:
Findings from interviews and focus groups highlighted challenges and innovations that were both broadly typical to the Australian context, and particular to rural areas. A need for greater connectivity and collaborations across several dimensions was evident.
CONCLUSIONS:
Amidst entrenched barriers to effective, respectful ageing-at-home for rural community members in the Central Highlands of Queensland Australia, several existing strategies and opportunities are evident that support an imperfect system, as well as critical calls for change. As the Australian home-based aged care system moves to implement new policies and programs, the imperative to harness the local knowledge, existing strategies and address priorities of engaged rural communities is vital. The research findings have direct implications for other settings with similar economies and demographics.
Ageing well at home is a key aspiration for many older adults, where connection to place, independence, and community ties are central to quality of life. However, an ageing population, shifting demographic trends, increasing resource demands and persistent workforce shortages have contributed to a crisis in services to support healthy ageing. In rural and regional areas, these issues are exacerbated by access barriers and resource limitations, with dispersed populations and inadequate infrastructures further compounding the sustainability of aged care services in these communities. Amidst significant policy and program change in this domain, there is a need to understand local community perspectives that shape their experiences of ageing.
METHODS:
A qualitative study in the Central Highlands of Queensland, Australia explored how the community would like to age, support structures and initiatives, with perspectives of health/community services and industry; and community members aged 55+. The research was underpinned by a social justice perspective, drawing on critical theory to align with the study’s focus on codesign and innovation.
RESULTS:
Findings from interviews and focus groups highlighted challenges and innovations that were both broadly typical to the Australian context, and particular to rural areas. A need for greater connectivity and collaborations across several dimensions was evident.
CONCLUSIONS:
Amidst entrenched barriers to effective, respectful ageing-at-home for rural community members in the Central Highlands of Queensland Australia, several existing strategies and opportunities are evident that support an imperfect system, as well as critical calls for change. As the Australian home-based aged care system moves to implement new policies and programs, the imperative to harness the local knowledge, existing strategies and address priorities of engaged rural communities is vital. The research findings have direct implications for other settings with similar economies and demographics.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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