Older people as actors in the rural community, innovation and empowerment

Abstract

This article is based in two well accepted ideas in gerontology literature. Aging is a heterogeneous process intimately related to the environment and, active and successful aging is link to social participation. However, aging rural process is still unknown, rural professional characteristics are undefined and innovative strategies to promote the satisfactory and active aging in rural zones are absent.

The article is based on a qualitative research, in the region of the Alt Empordà, Catalonia, Spain. 53 participants were interviewed.

Results show the meaning of community for the older people of rural village, confirm the need of a rural professional and present proposals of action contextualized that allow reinforcing to the community through strengthening the social participation systems in the community, without urbanizing it.