The charity said that people over 60 have to cope with poor public transport, a lack of nearby shops and services, the high cost of heating, a lack of access to health and social care and difficulties getting broadband.
Age UK has produced a new report, Later Life In Rural England. Published at the start of National Countryside Week, it finds that aspects of living in the countryside present serious obstacles for many older people.
Michelle Mitchell,
Age UK’s Charity Director General, said:
"Life in rural England is very tough for many people. Too many are stranded at home, lonely and isolated, struggling to the shops, Post Office and even hospital, because of a lack of local bus services.
“The high cost of heating because so many rural homes are badly insulated and are off the mains gas grid as well as the challenge of getting adequate social care all add up to make life in the countryside difficult for many and far from the stereotype of a rural paradise."
A new Age UK poll found that nearly one in four people aged 60 and over who live in rural parts of England say lack of public transport is the biggest challenge they face living in the countryside.
Rural communities are ageing faster than other parts of the UK with approximately half of the rural population aged over 45, compared with 36% in major urban areas.
Across rural England, the number of people aged over 65 with social care needs is projected to increase by 70% over the next 16 years.
Age UK estimates that 1.5 million older people in rural areas are reliant on oil to heat their homes, which frequently costs more than electricity and gas and can only be bought in large quantities, resulting in sizeable upfront costs.
The Prince’s Countryside Fund, which supports people who live and work in rural areas, is backing Age UK’s new report. Director Victoria Harris said,
“We know that rural isolation and lack of services are a real problem across the UK with post offices, village shops and pubs closing at an alarming rate.
"These closures tend to hit groups such as the elderly particularly hard and combined with the decline of local transport it is a major issue.
"This report highlights some of the major concerns facing the UK countryside today and we welcome any opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our rural communities.”