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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Elderly population

Loneliness and Quality of Life in Chronically Ill Rural Older Adults: Findings from a Pilot Study
Explores the prevalence of loneliness in older adults living in rural Appalachia with chronic illness and whether loneliness influences their quality of life. Includes statistics on demographics as well as loneliness and quality of life indicators by chronic illness and medication use.
Author(s): Laurie A. Theeke, Jennifer Mallow
Citation: American Journal of Nursing, 113(9), 28-38
Date: 09/2013
Type: Document
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Mental Health Services in Rural Long-Term Care: Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement
This research and policy brief examines promising practices for enhancing mental health services to the elderly living in rural long-term care facilities or in their own homes.
Author(s): Jean A. Talbot, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 06/2013
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Elder Health in Rural America
Provides an overview of the interplay between rural communities and rural elder health. Discusses policy and practices. Covers recommendations for policy makers based on a systems approach, incorporating sustainability, best practice, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Author(s): Rebecca M. Hartman, Florence M. Weierbach
Date: 02/2013
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rural Older Adults' Mental Health: Status and Challenges in Care Delivery
Examines the mental health service needs of, and use by, independently living rural older adults, with a focus on depression.
Author(s): Emilee Bocker, Michael Glasser, Kimberly Nielsen, Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 12, 2199
Date: 11/2012
Type: Document
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Regional Differences in Prescribing Quality among Elder Veterans and the Impact of Rural Residence
Characterizes variation in prescribing quality among older adults across geographic region, and compares prescribing quality by rural versus urban residence.
Author(s): B.C. Lund, M.E. Charlton, M.A. Steinman, P.J. Kaboli
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 29(2), 172-179
Date: 08/2012
Type: Document
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Behavioral Health Coaching for Rural-living Older Adults with Diabetes and Depression: An Open Pilot of the HOPE Study
Highlights a study on the Health Outcomes through Patient Empowerment (HOPE) intervention for rural older adults. Discusses the telephone-based intervention as a means of managing the diabetes and depression comorbidity of elderly people in rural areas. Breaks down effective sessions by module and features several case studies.
Author(s): Aanand D Naik, Craig D White, Suzanne M Robertson, et al.
Citation: BMC Geriatrics, 12, 37
Date: 07/2012
Type: Document
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National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services Meeting Minutes, Kansas City, MO, June 18-20, 2012
Provides a summary of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services' (NACRHHS) 71st meeting, which included discussions on the following topics: health reform, services for the elderly, rural hospitals and infrastructure, frontier demonstration projects, child care, and Head Start.
Date: 06/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Quality of Life in Rural and Urban Adults 65 Years and Older: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Results of a study examining the quality of life of adults 65 years and older in rural and urban areas. Considered health, social functioning and emotional well-being. Looked at a range of factors that could impact quality of life, including health behaviors and health needs.
Author(s): Marianne Baernholdt, Guofen Yan, Ivora Hinton, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 28(4), 339-347
Date: 02/2012
Type: Document
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The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults: In Whose Hands?
Reports on the healthcare workforce to meet the needs of the nation's growing elderly population, including the mental health and substance abuse workforce needs for this population.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Jill Eden, Katie Maslow, Mai Le, Dan Blazer
Date: 2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Affordable Care Act Provisions Affecting the Rural Elderly
Discusses a number of provisions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that focus on elderly health and human service needs.
Date: 12/2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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