Objective: To explore the aging experience among men and women older than 60 years, living in rural areas from the states of Guerrero and Morelos, Mexico.
Materials and methods: A qualitative study was conducted in poverty-stricken, underserved communities with less than 2,500 inhabitants. Semi-structured interviews were applied to collect data.
Results: The aging experience is different according to gender, being more positive for women. Loneliness, together with social networks and the health-illness process, make the difference in the aging experiences. The main fears associated with aging are loneliness, illness, poverty, and loss of independence.
Conclusions: Gender identity plays a central role in different aging experiences because the chances for development and accompanying responsibilities foster the inequality between men and women. It is necessary to improve institutional responses tailored to the specific needs of this population.