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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Elderly population

Creating Access to Care in Rural America
Recording of a May 2024 webinar describing how CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center utilized telemedicine hubs to ensure access to care in rural West Virginia communities. Discusses lessons learned, development of the program, and future plans. Features a panel discussion with telehealth, geriatric care, and rural health experts on improving healthcare delivery in rural areas. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center of Excellence for Telehealth and Aging
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Providing Behavioral Health Support for Older Adults
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with leaders of Broaddus Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in West Virginia, describing how they work to identify and fill the unique mental health needs of older adults in the community, including the development of an intensive outpatient group therapy program for older adults.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Regional and Rural-Urban Patterns in the Prevalence of Diagnosed Hypertension among Older U.S. Adults with Diabetes, 2005–2017
Explores trends in the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes across four geographic regions between 2005 and 2017. Examines Medicare administrative claims data to describe sociodemographic characteristics of the sampled beneficiaries with diabetes. Uses the 2013 CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) classification scheme to compare the age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension in each region over time by rurality.
Author(s): Jalal Uddin, Sha Zhu, Gargya Malla, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 24, 1326
Date: 05/2024
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Social Determinants of Health and Delivery of Rehabilitation to Older Adults During ICU Hospitalization
Analyzes likelihood of receiving physical therapy or occupational therapy during ICU hospitalization among older adults. Utilizes 2011-2018 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) data of 1,618 hospitalizations. Highlights social determinants of health associated with disparities in rehabilitation service delivery, including rural status, dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, and limited English proficiency.
Author(s): Snigdha Jain, Terrence E. Murphy, Jason R. Falvey, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(5), e2410713
Date: 05/2024
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Trends and Disparities in Pandemic Telehealth Use among People with Disabilities
Examines the use of telehealth services by Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities by analyzing data from the Medicare Telehealth Trends Dashboard; the 2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) and MCBS Winter 2021 Supplement; and the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey data from July 21, 2021, to August 8, 2022. Presents data on patterns of telehealth utilization by Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities by type of Medicare eligibility and number and type of disabilities, modes of telehealth used by the number and type of disabilities, and the availability of different modes of telehealth and access to video-enabled services. Exhibit 8 compares telehealth utilization trends among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries between 2019 and 2021 by Medicare eligibility and rural and urban status.
Author(s): Madjid Karimi, Lok Wong Samson, Sara J. Couture, et al.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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New Medicare Behavioral Health Providers: Incorporating MHCs and MFTs Into Your RHC
Recording of a May 9, 2024, webinar discussing Medicare coverage of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) effective January 1, 2024, and the implications for Rural Health Clinics. Describes skills and attributes of MFTs and MHCs and provides an overview of common mental health concerns for older adults. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Transportation Provider Survey
Surveyed 445 transportation providers for people with disabilities and older adults in Fall 2023 to describe provider experiences and perspectives. Includes findings related to accessibility of vehicles, Section 5310 funding, fares, workforce challenges, technology, coordination activities, and equity. Discusses rural throughout.
Additional links: Transportation Provider Survey: Highlights
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organizations: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, Southpaw Insights
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Access to Preferred Skilled Nursing Facilities: Transitional Care Pathways for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Examines the ability of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) to access their preferred skilled nursing facility (SNF). Analyzes 2017-2019 data from 3,019,260 Medicare hospitalizations that resulted in an SNF transfer, with breakdowns according to distance to care, level of rurality, and other characteristics.
Author(s): Dori A. Cross, Taylor I. Bucy, Momotazur Rahman, John P. McHugh
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(2)
Date: 04/2024
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Visiting with Elders - Aging, Caregiving, and Planning for Future Generations of American Indians and Alaska Natives
Reports on a listening session to identify themes in the perspectives of American Indian and Alaska Native elders on aging, age-related diseases, and caregiving. Discusses intergenerational trauma, culture, elder abuse, social connection, barriers to healthcare and other services, and dementia education.
Author(s): Cole Allick, Marija Bogic
Citation: Genealogy, 8(2), 36
Date: 03/2024
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North Carolina Healthcare Association Critical Workforce Needs Assessment
Reports on healthcare workforce trends in North Carolina, including discussion of state demographics, policy changes, and strategies influencing workforce needs and availability. Highlights the rural aging population and a need for health workers in rural communities.
Author(s): Patrick McHugh, Alison Bean de Hernandez, Chrystall Davis, Michael Hogan, Sara Nienow
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Healthcare Association
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