Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Aging and aging-related services
Opportunities for a Healthier Rural America: Perspectives from the Rural Health Research Centers
Several Rural Health Research Center directors share insights on the challenges rural communities face and opportunities to improve access and outcomes.
Author(s): Jessica Rosencrans
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Several Rural Health Research Center directors share insights on the challenges rural communities face and opportunities to improve access and outcomes.
Author(s): Jessica Rosencrans
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Migration and Aging Across the Rural-Urban Continuum
Examines migration and aging patterns from 1980 to 2020 across the rural-urban continuum. Covers age-specific net migration by decade, retirement-age and working adult migration, aging in place, and the relationship between housing, income, employment, and health on migration. Provides charts, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting migration patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Richelle L. Winkler, John Cromartie, Katherine J. Curtis
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Examines migration and aging patterns from 1980 to 2020 across the rural-urban continuum. Covers age-specific net migration by decade, retirement-age and working adult migration, aging in place, and the relationship between housing, income, employment, and health on migration. Provides charts, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting migration patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Richelle L. Winkler, John Cromartie, Katherine J. Curtis
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Disparities in Timely Access to Postoperative Home Health Care and Functional Recovery After Joint Replacement by Rurality and Dual Eligibility
Results of a study examining the association of Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible status and rural residence with prompt initiation of home health services and subsequent functional recovery, following hip and knee replacement among patients age 65 or older. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Amit Kumar, Jason Falvey, Deepak Adhikari, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 27(9), 106397
Date: 09/2026
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Results of a study examining the association of Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible status and rural residence with prompt initiation of home health services and subsequent functional recovery, following hip and knee replacement among patients age 65 or older. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Amit Kumar, Jason Falvey, Deepak Adhikari, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 27(9), 106397
Date: 09/2026
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Choosing a Falls Prevention Program That Works for Your Community
Describes how to match a falls prevention program to community needs. Highlights evidence-based programs approved by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Discusses rural considerations regarding training demands and delivery methods.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Describes how to match a falls prevention program to community needs. Highlights evidence-based programs approved by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Discusses rural considerations regarding training demands and delivery methods.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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The Role of Rurality on Self-Reported Sleep and Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Preliminary Study
Presents a study aiming to understand the way rurality impacts the relationship between sleep and cognition in aging adults. Breaks down participants' self-reported sleep, objective cognition, working memory, and executive function, among other measures, and compares rates of individuals from rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Madison Musich, Amy N. Costa, Puja Halder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(3), 10695
Date: 08/2026
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Presents a study aiming to understand the way rurality impacts the relationship between sleep and cognition in aging adults. Breaks down participants' self-reported sleep, objective cognition, working memory, and executive function, among other measures, and compares rates of individuals from rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Madison Musich, Amy N. Costa, Puja Halder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(3), 10695
Date: 08/2026
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State Innovations in Improving Access to Care for Adults with Complex Needs in Rural Communities
Discusses Medicaid policy and financing strategies that can help improve rural delivery systems and access to care for rural older adults, people with disabilities, and others with complex health and social needs. Describes effective approaches undertaken in California, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Virginia across three promising strategies. Identifies four factors critical to successful program design and implementation and key considerations for states.
Author(s): Molly Knowles, Nida Enehizena, Gretchen Bell, Ellen Breslin
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Discusses Medicaid policy and financing strategies that can help improve rural delivery systems and access to care for rural older adults, people with disabilities, and others with complex health and social needs. Describes effective approaches undertaken in California, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Virginia across three promising strategies. Identifies four factors critical to successful program design and implementation and key considerations for states.
Author(s): Molly Knowles, Nida Enehizena, Gretchen Bell, Ellen Breslin
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Demographic Characteristics of Medicaid Beneficiaries Enrolled in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Describes the demographic characteristics and long-term nursing facility use of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollees in 2023, including rural residence. Compares data by PACE enrollees who are full-benefit dually eligible beneficiaries and those who are Medicaid-only enrollees.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Describes the demographic characteristics and long-term nursing facility use of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollees in 2023, including rural residence. Compares data by PACE enrollees who are full-benefit dually eligible beneficiaries and those who are Medicaid-only enrollees.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Early Evidence of Geographic Variation in Medicare Participation among Newly Eligible Mental Health Providers Following the 2024 Coverage Expansion
Explores the effect that Medicare's expansion of coverage to marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) has had on the rural mental health workforce. Highlights the rate of participation among rural MFTs and MHCs in Medicare from 2022 to 2024 and compares rates to metro counties.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70180
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the effect that Medicare's expansion of coverage to marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) has had on the rural mental health workforce. Highlights the rate of participation among rural MFTs and MHCs in Medicare from 2022 to 2024 and compares rates to metro counties.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70180
Date: 07/2026
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Active Aging for L.I.F.E.: An Intergenerational Program to Improve Adolescents' Aging Attitudes in Rural Communities
Presents results of participation in Active Aging for L.I.F.E., a school-based intergenerational program focused on health literacy, health awareness, aging attitudes, and social connectedness, among 77 junior high and high school students in rural Oklahoma. Details how outcomes varied by sex and age.
Author(s): Xuewei Chen, Emily Roberts
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 822
Date: 06/2026
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Presents results of participation in Active Aging for L.I.F.E., a school-based intergenerational program focused on health literacy, health awareness, aging attitudes, and social connectedness, among 77 junior high and high school students in rural Oklahoma. Details how outcomes varied by sex and age.
Author(s): Xuewei Chen, Emily Roberts
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 822
Date: 06/2026
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Building Collaborative Contracts With Health Care: A Social Connection Partnership Between Senior Connection, Inc., and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Massachusetts
Highlights a mobile outreach program for older adults in rural Massachusetts. Describes the program's focus on the 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly Care, demonstrated impact, lessons learned, and sustainability plan.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Aging and Disability Business Institute, The John A. Hartford Foundation, USAging
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Highlights a mobile outreach program for older adults in rural Massachusetts. Describes the program's focus on the 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly Care, demonstrated impact, lessons learned, and sustainability plan.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Aging and Disability Business Institute, The John A. Hartford Foundation, USAging
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