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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Informal caregivers

AAAs' Partnership With School of Medicine Expands Dementia Caregiving Services
Case study highlighting the implementation of a program promoting wellness for unpaid caregivers in Indiana, including in rural areas. Discusses collaboration between Area Agencies on Aging and community and state partners.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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Vermont Partnership Offers Caregivers Wellness Programs and Respite
Case study highlighting a partnership between a Area Agency on Aging in Vermont and a regional nonprofit health plan to offer respite opportunities to rural and suburban caregivers.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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Rural Health Reimagined: Policy Support & Change for Rural Aging in New York
Outlines rural relevant recommendations developed at an April 2025 summit in preparation for the New York statewide Master Plan for Aging (MPA). Recommendations cover topics including access to healthcare, social isolation, ageism, supporting informal caregivers, strengthening the health workforce, and age-friendly practices in rural communities.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: New York State Association for Rural Health
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Caregiving in Rural Areas: A Qualitative Study of Challenges and Resilience
Examines rural-specific challenges and strengths in caregiving, utilizing interview data of 18 rural-dwelling caregivers in Vermont. Discusses community-based factors influencing care, access to services, and rural identity, among other topics.
Author(s): Hyojin Choi, Christine Vatovec, Maija Reblin
Citation: PLOS One, 20(6), e0325536
Date: 06/2025
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Geographic Disparities in Unpaid Caregiving
Presents a study examining the differences in the perceived health and well-being of unpaid caregivers between rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by caregiver demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, and employment status, among others.
Author(s): Emma Kathryn Boswell, Monique J. Brown, Lorie Donelle, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70039
Date: 06/2025
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Rural-Suburban-Urban Differences in Caregiving in the Northeast U.S. Region
Analyzes characteristics of caregiving experiences in the Northeast according to rural, suburban, or urban geography. Focuses on percentage of people who have provided caregiving, as well as their income, weekly care expenses, use of social safety net programs, desire to participate in the workforce, and demographic profile.
Author(s): Elena Pojman, Florence Becot
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, PennState
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Financial Health and Well-Being of Rural Female Caregivers of Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses
Examines the financial burdens of female caregivers living in rural areas. Provides interview feedback from 20 women caring for older adults with chronic illnesses, focusing on themes such as gender role imbalances, financial pressures, stress, time constraints, and more.
Author(s): Nasreen Lalani, Evans Appiah Osei, Siqi Yang, Bhagyashree Katare, Sampada Wagle
Citation: BMC Geriatrics, 25, 239
Date: 04/2025
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Transportation: The Missing Link in Family Caregiver Support
Provides information on transportation services the professional or family caregivers of people with disabilities or aging-related challenges. See pages 8-9 for discussion of rural-specific challenges and strategies.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organizations: ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Perceptions About Dyadic Physical Activity Intervention for Rural-Dwelling People With Cognitive Impairment
Highlights themes from a focus group of 11 rural Nebraskans discussing the feasibility of a telerehabilitation physical activity behavioral intervention for rural people with cognitive impairment and their care partners. Topics discussed include demand, implementation, practicality, acceptability, adaptation, and integration. Includes rural-specific adaptations that could increase the chance of successful implementation.
Author(s): Rashelle M. Hoffman, Blake R. Murphy, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, et al.
Citation: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 33(6), 548-556
Date: 03/2025
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National Community Care Corps 2023-2025 Grantee Snapshots: Volunteer Power Supporting Health at Home
Highlights programs supporting independent living and wellness for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers funded by Community Care Corps grants between 2023 and 2025. Includes programs in and for rural communities in California, Georgia, Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alabama offering transportation, social connection, and housework services.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: National Community Care Corps
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