Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Aging and aging-related services
Rural and Non‐Rural U.S. Veterans Receiving Virtual Geriatric Mental Health Services in the Clinical Resource Hubs
Explores how the use of telehealth geriatric mental health services varies among rural and non-rural veterans within the Veterans Health Administration Clinical Resource Hub system, using 2021-2023 electronic health record data of 2,013 veterans aged 50 or older.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Chalise Carlson, Susan K. Schultz, et al.
Citation: Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice
Date: 10/2026
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Explores how the use of telehealth geriatric mental health services varies among rural and non-rural veterans within the Veterans Health Administration Clinical Resource Hub system, using 2021-2023 electronic health record data of 2,013 veterans aged 50 or older.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Chalise Carlson, Susan K. Schultz, et al.
Citation: Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice
Date: 10/2026
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Rural Patients' Transitional Care Experiences: A Qualitative Analysis of Provider Notes
Examines experiences of older, veteran patients discharged from a hospital to their home. Utilizes electronic health record clinical notes and Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse data from 200 veterans who died within 30 days of discharge. Analyzes rural versus urban differences in patient demographics, patient health conditions, geographic distance to care settings, willingness to utilize home health services, caregiver burden, and more. Discusses unique challenges experienced by rural veterans and their caregivers in transitional care.
Author(s): Samantha B. Randolph, Nicholas A. Rattray, Claire E. Donnelly, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70225
Date: 10/2026
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Examines experiences of older, veteran patients discharged from a hospital to their home. Utilizes electronic health record clinical notes and Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse data from 200 veterans who died within 30 days of discharge. Analyzes rural versus urban differences in patient demographics, patient health conditions, geographic distance to care settings, willingness to utilize home health services, caregiver burden, and more. Discusses unique challenges experienced by rural veterans and their caregivers in transitional care.
Author(s): Samantha B. Randolph, Nicholas A. Rattray, Claire E. Donnelly, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70225
Date: 10/2026
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Technology and Caregiver Navigation: Key Insights for Aging Network Professionals
Describes technology use in caregiver navigation services across the aging network. Discusses benefits, challenges, and the emerging use of artificial intelligence. Notes rural concerns related to broadband access and evaluating access and outcomes.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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Describes technology use in caregiver navigation services across the aging network. Discusses benefits, challenges, and the emerging use of artificial intelligence. Notes rural concerns related to broadband access and evaluating access and outcomes.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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September 2026 MACPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) September 2026 meeting. Covers community engagement requirements in Medicaid, state directed payments and healthcare-related taxes, a comparison of an updated inpatient hospital payment index across states, utilization management for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Medicaid, and Medicaid coverage of assistive technology for adults, among other things. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Medicaid Coverage of Assistive Technology for Adults: Data Analysis and Stakeholder Interviews
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) September 2026 meeting. Covers community engagement requirements in Medicaid, state directed payments and healthcare-related taxes, a comparison of an updated inpatient hospital payment index across states, utilization management for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Medicaid, and Medicaid coverage of assistive technology for adults, among other things. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Medicaid Coverage of Assistive Technology for Adults: Data Analysis and Stakeholder Interviews
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Opportunities for a Healthier Rural America: Perspectives from the Rural Health Research Centers
Several Rural Health Research Center directors share insights on the challenges rural communities face and opportunities to improve access and outcomes.
Author(s): Jessica Rosencrans
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Several Rural Health Research Center directors share insights on the challenges rural communities face and opportunities to improve access and outcomes.
Author(s): Jessica Rosencrans
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Migration and Aging Across the Rural-Urban Continuum
Examines migration and aging patterns from 1980 to 2020 across the rural-urban continuum. Covers age-specific net migration by decade, retirement-age and working adult migration, aging in place, and the relationship between housing, income, employment, and health on migration. Provides charts, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting migration patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Richelle L. Winkler, John Cromartie, Katherine J. Curtis
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Examines migration and aging patterns from 1980 to 2020 across the rural-urban continuum. Covers age-specific net migration by decade, retirement-age and working adult migration, aging in place, and the relationship between housing, income, employment, and health on migration. Provides charts, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting migration patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Richelle L. Winkler, John Cromartie, Katherine J. Curtis
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Disparities in Timely Access to Postoperative Home Health Care and Functional Recovery After Joint Replacement by Rurality and Dual Eligibility
Results of a study examining the association of Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible status and rural residence with prompt initiation of home health services and subsequent functional recovery, following hip and knee replacement among patients age 65 or older. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Amit Kumar, Jason Falvey, Deepak Adhikari, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 27(9), 106397
Date: 09/2026
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Results of a study examining the association of Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible status and rural residence with prompt initiation of home health services and subsequent functional recovery, following hip and knee replacement among patients age 65 or older. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Amit Kumar, Jason Falvey, Deepak Adhikari, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 27(9), 106397
Date: 09/2026
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Utah Master Plan for Aging: Three-Year Update Report, 2023-2026
Offers a progress report on implementation of the Utah Master Plan for Aging. Describes progress made toward the 6 sectors, remaining barriers, and plans for each priority in the next 3 years. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Utah Commission on Aging
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Offers a progress report on implementation of the Utah Master Plan for Aging. Describes progress made toward the 6 sectors, remaining barriers, and plans for each priority in the next 3 years. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Utah Commission on Aging
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Choosing a Falls Prevention Program That Works for Your Community
Describes how to match a falls prevention program to community needs. Highlights evidence-based programs approved by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Discusses rural considerations regarding training demands and delivery methods.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Describes how to match a falls prevention program to community needs. Highlights evidence-based programs approved by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Discusses rural considerations regarding training demands and delivery methods.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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The Role of Rurality on Self-Reported Sleep and Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Preliminary Study
Presents a study aiming to understand the way rurality impacts the relationship between sleep and cognition in aging adults. Breaks down participants' self-reported sleep, objective cognition, working memory, and executive function, among other measures, and compares rates of individuals from rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Madison Musich, Amy N. Costa, Puja Halder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(3), 10695
Date: 08/2026
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Presents a study aiming to understand the way rurality impacts the relationship between sleep and cognition in aging adults. Breaks down participants' self-reported sleep, objective cognition, working memory, and executive function, among other measures, and compares rates of individuals from rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Madison Musich, Amy N. Costa, Puja Halder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(3), 10695
Date: 08/2026
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