title: Local governance responses to social inclusion for older rural Victorians: building resources, opportunities and capabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore how local governance enables access to resources, creates opportunities and increases capability for older people in rural communities to experience social inclusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were undertaken with community stakeholders across two rural communities in north-east Victoria. Stakeholders were drawn from local government, and a range of community groups and organisations, as identified in a scoping study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Through the provision of community resources (e.g. physical and human infrastructure, organisational partnerships), local services and supports offer social and productive environments for participation. They also build individual resources (e.g. health, skills, finances, networks) to enable older people to participate within these environments, and provide assistance to allow older people to use individual and community resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community resources are integral in facilitating the development of older people's individual resources, and opportunities and capabilities for participation. These enable greater choice in participation, and contribute to the sustainability of community resources serving ageing populations.
authors: John Richards Initiative, La Trobe University, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Winterton
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Clune
authors: Jeni
authors: J
authors: Warburton
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003153:Community Health Services; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009111:Local Government; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011050:Policy Making; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D058992:Social Participation; D014739:Victoria
keywords: governance; rural; social inclusion