Planning for Sustainable Rural Healthy Aging Programs

Rural healthy aging programs may have different sustainability goals, such as securing funding to continue the program in perpetuity or embedding the program's activities into an organization. Planning for sustainable rural healthy aging programs begins with an assessment of needs, interests, resources, and opportunities. Questions for rural program implementers to consider when planning for sustainable rural healthy aging programs include:

What are the program's sustainability goals?
What resources are needed for sustainability? These may include financial and in-kind resources, staffing, infrastructure, space, technology, and transportation, among other resources.
What types of partners, funders, or organizations can support the sustainability of the rural healthy aging program?
How will program participants, such as older adults, be involved in planning for sustainability?
How do federal, state, and local policies affect program sustainability?
To what extent is the program adaptable as the needs of older adults in the community change over time?
To what extent is the program replicable?
How will the program demonstrate its outcomes, value, and/or show a return on investment?

Resources to Learn More

Challenges and Opportunities of an Aging Rural Population
Document
Analyzes data from the 2018 AARP livability indicators and the 2019 Planning for All Ages survey to examine rural-urban differences in age-friendly community characteristics. Shares planning considerations to help local governments and communities meet the needs of all ages, including older adults.
Organization(s): Rural Population Research Network
Author(s): Warner, M.E. & Zhang, X.
Date: 3/2022

Key Components of Evidence-Based Programs: Sustainability
Website
Shares resources, best practice examples, and toolkits to support the implementation of sustainable, evidence-based programs for older adults.
Organization(s): National Council on Aging

Planning for Sustainability
Document
Checklist of considerations for sustainability planning focused on integration, systems change, recognition, the different types of program support, and replication. Includes examples of grantees who have had success in these areas.
Organization(s): National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
Date: 7/2021