Ageing in place: an exploration of what works well in a northern city

Beeley, Rachel Elizabeth (2024) Ageing in place: an exploration of what works well in a northern city. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

Population ageing is a significant global challenge for the 21st century with advanced age closely associated with poorer health outcomes, particularly amongst those in deprived areas. Population ageing poses significant challenges for formalised health and social care services who are finding it difficult to meet current demand. Increasingly older adults are seeking to age in place and manage health conditions at home rather than in institutional settings. This is also indicative in current policy and research which frames ageing in place as a means of relieving pressure on services whilst maintaining the independence and wellbeing of older adults. This study explores what older adults feel is positively helping them to age in place, and what they feel is important to them in this endeavour. Due to coronavirus, the research was conducted virtually via telephone or videocall. Eight qualitative semi-structured interviews, informed by appreciative inquiry were conducted. Through thematic analysis, supportive factors for ageing in place were identified. Older adults’ long-term views on ageing in place were complex and variable. They posed new understandings that ageing in place could be seen as a part of the ageing journey rather than the destination or sole objective. The success of the older adults’ transition from health to illness and long-term coping strategies were dependant on a range of social, environmental, and personal conditions, but maintaining a positive or motivated mindset was important to achieving better outcomes. Services and communities were generally supportive of older adults and worked to enable ageing in place, however, it was the people more than the services that are valued by older people. The comparison showed, however, that policy makers both locally and nationally had mismatched priorities with the older adults in this study. Although ageing looks different to everybody, the misalignment of priorities suggests that more opportunities to engage older adults in meaningful opportunities to voice their needs and opinions are necessary to create a purposeful and sustainable ageing policy.