Qualitative interview study reveals community cohesion safeguards declining service provision in older islanders, highlighting social resilience against structural isolation.
Key Points
To examine mobility and service accessibility conditions for older adults aging in place on smaller Swedish islands.
Conducted a qualitative study applying a rural mobilities perspective across two islands located in northern and southern Sweden.
Administered semi-structured telephone interviews with 18 island residents aged 65 to 85 years.
Participants relied strongly on local community networks to buffer against reductions in formal public and commercial services.
Older residents actively resisted proposed service solutions perceived as threats to community cohesion and social ties.