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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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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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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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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2025 Chartbook: AAAs Respond to Complex Community Needs: Trends and New Directions from the National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging
A chartbook offering data from the 2025 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging. Rural topics discussed include transportation, social engagement, and areas served by Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Also discusses AAAs services, caregiving, funding, the needs of specific communities, and more.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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A chartbook offering data from the 2025 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging. Rural topics discussed include transportation, social engagement, and areas served by Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Also discusses AAAs services, caregiving, funding, the needs of specific communities, and more.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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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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Rural Aging Action Network: Lessons from an Innovative Model for Mobilizing Whole Communities and Empowering Older Adults Across Rural America
Highlights the work of the Rural Aging Action Network (RAAN), a national collaborative that works to expand community-based services and supports to aid independence for older adults. Offers 7 steps for implementing a RAAN with a focus on continuous community involvement and ongoing evaluation.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Molly Wylie, Ashley Washington, Verena Cimarolli, Regan McManus, Robyn Stone
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organizations: LeadingAge, Lutheran Services in America
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Highlights the work of the Rural Aging Action Network (RAAN), a national collaborative that works to expand community-based services and supports to aid independence for older adults. Offers 7 steps for implementing a RAAN with a focus on continuous community involvement and ongoing evaluation.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Molly Wylie, Ashley Washington, Verena Cimarolli, Regan McManus, Robyn Stone
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organizations: LeadingAge, Lutheran Services in America
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Rural-Urban and Regional Variations in Aspects of Caregiving, Support Services and Caregiver Health in the USA: Evidence from a National Survey
Examines geographical differences in caregiving intensity, burden, health, and support based on U.S. region and rural versus urban location. Utilizes data from 3,551 informal caregivers part of the National Study of Caregiving and provides rural versus urban breakdowns of demographic information, active daily living (ADL) needs, caregiving characteristics, and more.
Author(s): Steven A. Cohen, Neelam H. Ahmed, Kerri A. Ellis, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 14(10)
Date: 10/2024
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Examines geographical differences in caregiving intensity, burden, health, and support based on U.S. region and rural versus urban location. Utilizes data from 3,551 informal caregivers part of the National Study of Caregiving and provides rural versus urban breakdowns of demographic information, active daily living (ADL) needs, caregiving characteristics, and more.
Author(s): Steven A. Cohen, Neelam H. Ahmed, Kerri A. Ellis, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 14(10)
Date: 10/2024
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