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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.

Statewide Age-Friendly Initiatives: An Environmental Scan
Policy brief examining statewide programs that support the health, independence, and well-being of elders as they age in place. Categorizes 33 initiatives in 22 states, distinguishing those that include specific rural focus, which are examined in greater detail in the additional policy brief.
Additional links: Examples of Statewide Age-Friendly Initiatives
Author(s): Jill Tanem, Carrie Henning-Smith, Megan Lahr
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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NADTC Best Practices Compendium
Highlights innovative programs, best practices, and lessons learned by 16 programs funded by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) between 2017-2019. Identifies common themes across the programs that serve as key considerations for communities that want to expand accessible transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities. Includes a section focused on rural transportation programs.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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An Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Providing Increased Mobility to Reduce Social Isolation Among America's Aging Population
Quantifies the cost of providing greater mobility to aging adults through public transportation in small urban and rural communities, using data from 10 states representing different regions of the country with large rural populations or a large percentage of rural residents. Features statistics on population with breakdowns by percentage of rural residents, and operating costs compared with increased Medicare costs due to isolation, with breakdowns by state.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Del Peterson, Antonio Molina
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Preferences for Long-Term Care Arrangements among Rural and Urban Older Adults
Describes long-term care preferences of 4,333 older people with functional limitations. Features statistics on characteristics of respondents, with breakdowns by urban or rural location.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, John Mulcahy, Megan Lahr, Jill Tanem
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Examining the Potential for Additional Rebalancing of Long-Term Services and Supports
Explores efforts to rebalance long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults and people with disabilities toward home and community-based settings. Profiles five states with lower levels of rebalancing compared to the national average: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, and West Virginia. Presents findings from interviews with federal and state officials, as well as other stakeholders involved with Medicaid LTSS systems and beneficiaries. Discusses how the COVID-19 public health emergency and flexibilities influenced LTSS services in these states. Offers future considerations for federal and state governments when addressing barriers to home and community-based services.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Health Care Strategies, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, RTI International
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Demographics and Disability Status of Adults Living Alone in Rural Areas
Policy brief examining differences in age and disability status of people who live alone in rural and urban areas. Describes health impacts of living alone and explores American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2014-2018 to represent demographic characteristics and prevalence of disabilities for rural and urban adults living alone.
Author(s): Jonathan Schroeder, Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Meeting the Needs of Older Adults Living in Rural Communities: The Roles of Area Agencies on Aging
Presents results from the 2019 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging. Describes the role of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in serving older adults in rural communities. Compares the organizational structure, services and programs offered, budget, and workforce of rural and non-rural AAAs.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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State Disability Maps
Interactive maps displaying state- and county-level data on disability prevalence and participation rates in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) programs among adults aged 18 to 64.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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Social Isolation and Loneliness in Rural Communities and the Role of Cross-Sector Partnerships
Discussion with Carrie Henning-Smith around social isolation and loneliness in rural communities and obstacles to address these issues. Profiles how two Minnesota communities took steps to improve accessibility and social cohesion. Describes how cross-sector partnerships can promote an equitable recovery of rural communities after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
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Serving Rural Veterans with Disabilities: A National Survey of Centers for Independent Living
Describes results of a 2019 survey exploring how Centers for Independent Living (CILs) serve veterans in rural communities. Discusses CIL collaborations with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, specific needs of rural veterans, and how CILs could better meet these needs.
Author(s): Jennifer Hale-Gallardo, Consuelo M. Kreider, Yuxin Ni, et al.
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 46(4), 740-751
Date: 2021
Type: Document
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Last Updated: 5/1/2024