Older people and care networks in rural areas: An exploratory study in Italy

Abstract A care crisis concept has been introduced in the literature to describe the growing decoupling process between the expanding care needs of older people and the difficulties of informal and family networks in coping. These changes happened in rural areas quicker and with greater intensity than in urban areas.Against this background, the article investigates older people living in rural areas in Italy and focuses on care networks. The analysis draws on an exploratory study conducted in three rural areas, based on 48 interviews with older people living alone at home and with different degrees of functional limitations and care needs.The research findings highlight the emergence of a complex scenario characterised by different configurations of care networks and coping strategies of adaptation and reorganisation. At the same, the research suggests further research lines to capture the multifaceted dimensions and multiple inequalities related to the care crisis in rural areas.