Sociala sammanhang stärker seniorer: En kvalitativ fallstudie om hälsosamt åldrande i Bjurholms kommun

Sammanfattning: Good health is a universal human right, but a growing amount of older people do not have access to the prerequisites needed to live a dignified and meaningful life. Many older people are being excluded from society based on social isolation and lacking health and wellbeing. Therefore, the World Health Organization has made healthy ageing a priority between the years 2021-2030. To reach the Global Goals that has been enunciated in the Sustainable Development Agenda, the United Nations call for action through their UN Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030. The purpose of this thesis is to highlight the meaning of resilience and social context, in order to live a long life with a good health. The thesis consists of a case study to zoom in on the most thinly populated municipality in Sweden: Bjurholm, to examine which factors are the most meaningful to be able to cope with difficult situations in life. This has been done through a qualitative study using interviews with five older people, born and still living, in Bjurholm. The study also aims to contribute to the existing literature on resilience-research by using theories about social sustainability and social capital to better be able to understand the concept of healthy ageing in a sparse rural context as Bjurholm. Findings from this study acknowledges the social context and an optimistic view in life as crucial in order to stay positive through challenging situations in life. This combined with a balanced perspective on life and a belief in yourself and your capabilities, are protective factors that helps the elders to stay resilient and manage ageing.