Research Abstracts: Social Exclusion in Rural Areas

Title: The factors influencing access to health and social care in the farming communities of County Down, Northern Ireland
Author: Heenan, Deirdre
Reference: Ageing and Society, 26(3), May 2006, pp373-391

Abstract: In-depth interviews were conducted with 45 over-60s living on family farms to collect information about health care needs and service use and adequacy. In addition, interviews with service providers provided information on their perceptions of the farming communities’ needs. The findings indicate that there are specific rural dimensions of access to services and that among the respondents there was substantial unmet need. For many farming families, using services is determined by more than the ability to reach them physically. The lack of reliable information, the culture of stoicism and the absence of suitable services impeded access to effective support. Recent health care policies and strategies have emphasised the importance of developing local services that are responsive to need in consultation with service users, but there is worryingly little evidence that this has occurred.

Title: Service provision for people with dementia in rural Scotland: difficulties and innovations
Author: Innes, Anthea and colleagues
Reference: Dementia, 5(2), May 2006, pp249-270

Abstract: This article explores the views of Scottish service providers in the voluntary, statutory and private sectors. The findings highlight the difficulties relating to dementia and rurality faced by service providers in Scotland. The study also considers innovative measures. Such measures indicate that, not only can the distinct challenges of dementia service provision be overcome, but also challenges posed by providing services to people with dementia and their carers in rural and remote areas. These findings extend the literature on rural dementia service provision. The article concludes with a consideration of the practice and policy implications of providing dementia services in remote and rural Scotland.

Title: Delivering for older people in rural areas: a good practice guide
Author: Age Concern
Publisher: Age Concern, 2005

Abstract: With an increasingly active older rural population, there is a need to re-examine what it means to deliver for older people in rural areas. Policymakers need to look at all rural services which affect the lives of older people, including leisure, transport, crime and housing. The report examines the rural context of delivering services and identifies good practice in delivering mainstream and targeted services for, or involving older people in, rural areas and in particular overcoming the problems of isolated communities from main service centres and the need to develop joint working across a range of public and private sector organisations. At the heart of this booklet is a collection of case studies which illustrate 10 guiding principles for developing successful services.

Title: Children and domestic violence: evaluating service provision in rural areas
Author: Baker, Helen and Stalford, Helen
Reference: Childright, No.203, January/February 2004, pp8-11

Abstract: Discusses children’s access to and awareness of domestic violence services the educational needs of children experiencing domestic violence emergency housing provision for children and young people availability of effective health care and counselling for children assistance for teenage boys who experience domestic violence.