Abstract:

Explores changing patterns of occupation in Australia's older rural population, aiming to counter bias & myth in the nation's urban centric mentality & the resulting marginalization of older rural people by urban service models. Australia's turn toward large farms has resulted in a restructuring of the rural family, displacing aging ex-farmers, forcing them to seek work outside the farm, & changing what farming people do with their work & leisure time. Retirement difficulties for farmers are discussed, focusing on income drops coupled with increased service costs, especially those relating to health care needs, which generally increase with aging. The challenges faced by older rural women include disadvantages of missed educational & occupational opportunities. New attitudes toward rural aging need to become a priority in Australia, compensating for the decline in the farming sector & an increase in more older people staying in or moving to rural areas.