Exploring Age-Friendly Environments in Rural Settings: Case Study from Finnish Lapland

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The environment plays a vital role in ensuring quality of life for older people in the rural north. In this chapter, I examine how older people identify the characteristics of age-friendly environments in rural settings. “Age-friendly environment” can be understood in different ways: as a natural , human-built or social environment. Analysing interviews conducted in the Enontekiö region of northern Finland, I ascertain older people’s perceptions and understanding of what constitutes an age-friendly environment. In addition, I investigate the changes and challenges which older persons encounter in their daily lives that affect the potential of their environment to be age-friendly. The analysis reveals that the key elements of such an environment are good forest, land, fresh water, good connections with family, neighbours, and the community, and an accommodating built environment.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNew Challenges to Ageing in the Rural North
Subtitle of host publicationA Critical Interdisciplinary Perspective
EditorsPäivi Naskali, Joan R. Harbison, Shahnaj Begum
PublisherSpringer
Pages123-140
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-20603-1
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-20602-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
MoEC publication typeA3 Part of a book or another research book

Publication series

SeriesInternational Perspectives on Aging
ISSN2197-5841

Field of science

  • Social and economic geography
  • Environmental sciences

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