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Introduction: World population has encountered a major challenge called “population ageing” or “ageing tsunami” in the recent decades. The phenomenon roots in some factors including decrease of population growth rate, and the youth migration to cities. Field observations show that the rural ageing, in the rural areas of Badreh County, changed into a hidden social problem that has not been comprehensively addressed. Thus, this article aims to examine dimensions of the phenomenon. 
Method: The data were collected by means of grounded theory techniques, especially interview as the main technique, and observation, participant observation, and statistical data as complementary ones. In doing so, we have interviewed 21 people aged 65 and over, 12 women and 9 men, living in six rural areas of Badreh County, Ilam. 
Findings: The findings indicate the elderly who live in the rural areas have been experiencing tough ageing. Poor social interactions, feeling of loneliness, lack of education, high degree of economic dependence on others including their families and supportive institutions, decline of social status, poor health, time suspension, and continuous change of occupations are the salient indices of this kind of rural ageing. 
Discussion: Rural ageing phenomenon may not be congruent with western ageing theories such as activity, disengagement, and continuity, mainly because the elderly keep going their previous activities, as far as they can, but those do not represent a successful ageing. The people are socially and economically dependent on their own families so they try to work to avoid higher level dependence on others or as a compensatory strategy.

Keywords: Rural ageing, Rural elders, Tough ageing

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