'Ageing in place' in Norway - A Fairclough-inspired discourse analysis of a white paper

The concept of 'ageing in place', understood as enabling older adults to remain in their own homes as long as possible, has gained significant attention in policy discussions worldwide. This study aimed to explore the ideologies and strategies behind this concept through a Fairclough-inspired discourse analysis of a Norwegian white paper titled 'Fellesskap og meistring. Bu trygt heime' [Community and Coping. Live Safely at Home]. The findings revealed that while the white paper articulates practical aspects of 'ageing in place', it overlooks the emotional and relational factors contributing to a sense of belonging and identity. Furthermore, by idealising the concept of home, the document oversimplifies the complexities related to ageing, assuming that all older adults have a family or that all families can adequately support older adults, while ignoring the challenges some might face. This raises concerns about the largely overlooked disparities in who can age 'well' and highlights the need to critically explore how discourses, policies, and practices shape perceptions of 'ageing in place'.