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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Elderly population

Home Modification and Repair Services and Needs in Indian Country
Discusses the importance of home modifications and repairs to promote successful aging in place and independent living, with a focus on tribal elders. Describes the types of home modification and repair services offered by Title VI Native American Aging Programs, funding sources, and unmet needs and barriers to services.
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organizations: University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, USAging
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Disrupting Disparities in Pennsylvania: Retooling for Geographic, Racial and Ethnic Growth
White paper examining geographic and racial/ethnic disparities in Pennsylvania along key health indicators, based on interviews with key stakeholders, a literature review, and analyses of databases on the health of Pennsylvanians. Includes sections on telehealth, broadband access as a social determinant of health, and challenges of aging in rural areas. Features demographics and statistics on prevalence of chronic diseases and maps showing Pennsylvania rural counties and Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas.
Author(s): Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili, Angela Foreshaw-Rouse, Martha C. Coates, et al.
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organizations: AARP, Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Title VI Native American Aging Programs and Services
Infographic summarizing results of a survey of Title VI Native American aging program directors on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their programs and communities. Provides information on the needs of Native American elders during the pandemic, expanded or new services offered by Title VI programs, and workforce concerns.
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organizations: Miami University Scripps Gerontology Center, USAging
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Consent and Capacity in Indian Country - Elder Abuse and the Connection to Consent, Capacity, and Undue Influence
Defines consent, capacity, and undue influence in connection to the abuse of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/NA) elders. Highlights 6 pillars for evaluating capacity in older adults and gives cultural context for AI/NA elders.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Native American Elder Justice Initiative
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Incidence of Adverse Events in Indian Health Service Hospitals
Explores the occurrence of harm events in Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals. Discusses the rates of adverse harm events, or those leading to prolonged or permanent patient harm, and temporary harm events. Breaks down data by hospital size and patient age and reason for admission. Makes recommendations regarding quality control and oversight.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Meeting the Social Needs of Older Adults in Rural Areas
Discusses the risks of social isolation and loneliness among rural older adults. Details interventions to address this issue, as well as models that improve social connectedness for older adults.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith
Citation: JAMA Health Forum
Date: 11/2020
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Rural America's Senior Citizens: Considerations for Transportation, Healthcare Access, Connectedness, Nutrition and Economics
Policy paper providing an overview of rural older adults. Examines the challenges rural older adults face in accessing healthcare. Discusses how transportation, social isolation, nutrition, and economics impact the health outcomes of this population.
Author(s): Tasha Brown, Kay Miller Temple, Josie Rudolphi
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Assessment of North Dakota Mobility Options, Transit Needs, and Characteristics of Users
Examines existing transit and passenger mobility services in North Dakota to identify transportation gaps and funding requirements for rural and urban areas across the state. Provides county-level data and maps on population estimates, mobility needs index scores, demographics, number of workers without access to a vehicle, and more. Includes demographic information on rural transit riders, data for rural transit providers, and other rural-specific information.
Author(s): Jeremy Mattson, Dilip Mistry, Jill Hough
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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VA Video Connect for Clinical Care in Older Adults in a Rural State During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study
Highlights a study on the ability of older veterans to use the VA Video Connect (VVC) app for telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breaks down data by age and rural versus urban location, among other factors.
Author(s): Kalpana P Padala, Kerrie B Wilson, Heath Gauss, Jessica D Stovall, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9), e21561
Date: 09/2020
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Transit for Healthcare: Volunteer Drivers in Aging Rural Minnesota
Covers supply and demand for volunteer drivers and discusses how insufficient transportation services negatively affect healthcare access for elderly and disabled populations in rural Minnesota. Examines obstacles facing volunteer drivers, including mileage reimbursement, distance to client's home, vehicle insurance, and more.
Author(s): Whitney Oachs
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
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