Rural Australians face unique challenges due to geographic remoteness and limited access to healthcare services, leading to a higher prevalence of health risk factors. Consequently, heightening the risk of developing dementia among older adults in rural communities. Despite this, research has primarily focused on healthy ageing and dementia prevention in metropolitan areas, overlooking the distinct needs of rural regions.

Therefore, our study aimed to gain deeper insight into the perspectives of older adults residing in rural areas, focusing on the unique barriers and facilitators influencing their access to healthcare services and awareness regarding dementia prevention. We conducted five focus groups with 24 older adults (aged 65+, 92% female) in small rural towns in Queensland, specifically in Kilkivan and Goomeri. These rural areas have a higher proportion of older adults compared to the national average, with 31.3% and 29.9% respectively, exceeding the national average of 23% for older adult population in Australia.

Thematic analysis revealed that rural older adults expressed a strong preference for ageing in place, highlighting the importance of community support and connections. In addition to identifying barriers to healthcare services, participants accentuated the challenges of sustained delivery of community-led programs. Moreover, participants expressed a call to educate the younger generations about healthy lifestyle practices, promoting preventative measures against dementia and other age-related health conditions. Our study sheds light on the often-overlooked perspectives and experiences of older adults in rural communities, underscoring the critical need for co-designed initiatives to develop place-based solutions to address the multifaceted challenges they encounter.