Community Supports for Rural Aging in Place and Independent Living – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Community Supports for Rural Aging in Place and Independent Living.
As Older Rural Population Grew, Ratio of Rural U.S. Eldercare Establishments Fell
Bar chart comparing the number of eldercare establishments per 1,000 adults 65 or older in rural and urban areas between 2010 and 2023. Eldercare establishments include those that provide home health, long-term care, or assisted living services, as noted in the 2024 Rural America At a Glance report.
Author(s): Brandon Genetin
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Bar chart comparing the number of eldercare establishments per 1,000 adults 65 or older in rural and urban areas between 2010 and 2023. Eldercare establishments include those that provide home health, long-term care, or assisted living services, as noted in the 2024 Rural America At a Glance report.
Author(s): Brandon Genetin
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Aging and Wildfire Risk to Communities
Reports on the disparate risk of wildfire experienced by older adults including those in rural communities. Discusses access to emergency services and fire departments as well as the increasing age of rural residents over time.
Author(s): Richelle L. Winkler, Miranda H. Mockrin
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Reports on the disparate risk of wildfire experienced by older adults including those in rural communities. Discusses access to emergency services and fire departments as well as the increasing age of rural residents over time.
Author(s): Richelle L. Winkler, Miranda H. Mockrin
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Exploring Access to Critical Health Services for Older Adults in Rural America from 1990 to 2020
Analyzes Area Health Resource Files to evaluate access to healthcare facilities and services between 1990 and 2020 using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC). Discusses healthcare access disparities between urban and rural areas and the growth of the older adult population in rural communities.
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Bambury, Alexis A. Merdjanoff, Joshua T. Fergen, J. Tom Mueller
Citation: The Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e70004
Date: 02/2025
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Analyzes Area Health Resource Files to evaluate access to healthcare facilities and services between 1990 and 2020 using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC). Discusses healthcare access disparities between urban and rural areas and the growth of the older adult population in rural communities.
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Bambury, Alexis A. Merdjanoff, Joshua T. Fergen, J. Tom Mueller
Citation: The Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e70004
Date: 02/2025
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Rural-Urban Differences in PACE Organization and Enrollee Characteristics
Compares differences between rural and urban Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and their enrollees. Presents data on enrollment, eligibility, length of time in PACE, age, and sex.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ingrid Jacobson, Madeleine Pick, Julia Interrante
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Compares differences between rural and urban Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and their enrollees. Presents data on enrollment, eligibility, length of time in PACE, age, and sex.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ingrid Jacobson, Madeleine Pick, Julia Interrante
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Partnering for Research at Your Center for Independent Living: Tips from Your Peers
Fact sheet offering nine helpful conditions for partnering for research at Centers for Independent Living (CILs) as identified by staff of rural CILs and State Independent Living Councils (SILCs). Describes how the guidance was developed and core Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles.
Author(s): Krys Standley, Hannah Pepprock, Rayna Sage
Date: 01/2025
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Fact sheet offering nine helpful conditions for partnering for research at Centers for Independent Living (CILs) as identified by staff of rural CILs and State Independent Living Councils (SILCs). Describes how the guidance was developed and core Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles.
Author(s): Krys Standley, Hannah Pepprock, Rayna Sage
Date: 01/2025
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Annual Disability Statistics Compendium 2025
Presents statistics on Americans with disabilities across key social and economic indicators derived from American Community Survey (ACS) data, including employment, educational attainment, health and healthcare, and more. Section 10 presents data on people with disabilities in rural areas, and compares the prevalence of disability, demographic characteristics, employment status, income, and insurance coverage status across metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Additional links: Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America 2025
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Research on Disability, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
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Presents statistics on Americans with disabilities across key social and economic indicators derived from American Community Survey (ACS) data, including employment, educational attainment, health and healthcare, and more. Section 10 presents data on people with disabilities in rural areas, and compares the prevalence of disability, demographic characteristics, employment status, income, and insurance coverage status across metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Additional links: Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America 2025
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Research on Disability, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
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Experiences of People with Disabilities in Rural America 2025 Infographic ADSC
Infographic on disability in rural America using American Community Survey data. Includes data on prevalence, employment, and poverty.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Research on Disability
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Infographic on disability in rural America using American Community Survey data. Includes data on prevalence, employment, and poverty.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Research on Disability
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Population with Disabilities for Nonmetropolitan Counties
Printable map that shows the percent of population with disabilities nationwide by county. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that shows the percent of population with disabilities nationwide by county. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A Toolkit for Developing Local Multisector Plans for Aging in Rural Areas
Offers 10 steps for developing a master plan for aging with rural focus, covering leadership development, community engagement, implementation planning, evaluation, and sustainability. Highlights rural-specific challenges for aging in rural communities.
Additional links: One Pager
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: The SCAN Foundation
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Offers 10 steps for developing a master plan for aging with rural focus, covering leadership development, community engagement, implementation planning, evaluation, and sustainability. Highlights rural-specific challenges for aging in rural communities.
Additional links: One Pager
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: The SCAN Foundation
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Building an Inclusive Disability Community in Rural Idaho: Stories from the Magic Valley
Case study highlighting the work of a rural Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Idaho participating in the Rural Community Living Development (RCLD), a peer support network offering mentorship. Discusses building both community relationships and individual capacity with focus on transportation, social connections, advocacy, independent living skills, and peer support.
Author(s): Lillie Greiman, Genna M. Mashinchi, E. Peterson, et al.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Case study highlighting the work of a rural Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Idaho participating in the Rural Community Living Development (RCLD), a peer support network offering mentorship. Discusses building both community relationships and individual capacity with focus on transportation, social connections, advocacy, independent living skills, and peer support.
Author(s): Lillie Greiman, Genna M. Mashinchi, E. Peterson, et al.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
- Aging and aging-related services
- Elderly population
- Home and community-based services
- Informal caregivers
- People with disabilities
Last Updated: 3/20/2025