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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Aging and aging-related services

Implementation and Initial Evaluation of Falls Risk Reduction Resources in a Rural Native American Community
Presents a study evaluating fall prevention interventions aimed at elders at a rural Indian Health Services Center. Breaks down data by the percentage of participants with fall risk, those that had a fall after the intervention, and those that required a visit to the emergency department after their fall, among other efficacy measure.
Author(s): Kyle M. Knight
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 8(66)
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
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Overview of Older Americans Act Title III Programs: 2018 Summary of Highlights
Provides an overview of the Older Americans Act, services provided under Title III of the Act, and program results for 2018. Includes data on service recipient characteristics by service type, age, race and ethnicity, rurality, and more.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Community Living
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Barriers to Aging in Place in Rural Communities: Perspectives from State Offices of Rural Health
Summarizes findings from a survey of State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) describing barriers for older adults in successfully aging in place in rural communities, including transportation, access to care, workforce issues, and cost of care. Presents respondents' policy and programmatic recommendations that would be beneficial for supporting older adults aging in place in rural areas.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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The Impact of Aging Baby Boomers in Rural America
Policy brief discussing the impact of the increasing proportion of the population turning 65 years old on rural communities. Offers policy recommendations for addressing barriers rural older adults face accessing healthcare and social services.
Author(s): Sarah Huling, Elizabeth Crouch, Whitney Zahnd
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Reimagining Public Health Infrastructure and the Health Workforce for the 21st Century: Twentieth Annual Report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Congress
Offers policy recommendations regarding activities related to healthcare workforce education and training. Recommendations cover training the healthcare workforce in telehealth, public trust around health initiatives, core competencies and performance measures linked to the Quintuple Aim, and age-friendly ecosystems. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary Community-Based Linkages
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Addressing Rural Co-Morbidities of Mental Health and Social Conditions
Three-part webinar series discusses the way mental and social co-morbidities can compound already existing barriers to mental healthcare in rural areas. Part One: Employing Treatment and Environmental Interventions to Support Rural Populations explores how rural areas shape mental health needs and interventions. Part Two: Supporting Rural Aging Populations addresses the social and mental health needs of rural elders. Part Three: Using Faith Supports to Increase Mental Health in Rural Communities details the role communities and leaders of faith can play in supporting mental health interventions.
Additional links: Part 1 Slides, Part 1 Video Recording, Part 2 Slides, Part 2 Video Recording, Part 3 Slides, Part 3 Video Recording
Author(s): Ken Flanagan
Date: 10/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
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Going to the Doctor: Rideshare as Nonemergency Medical Transportation
Discusses the role of rideshare-based non-emergency medical transportation (RB-NEMT) in serving the transportation needs across the country, including in rural areas. Details the different types of RB-NEMT services, such as door-to-door, curb-to-curb, hand-to-hand, and area-to-area. Breaks down the different groups that benefit from RB-NEMT by transportation limitations, age, and insurance type, among other factors. Discusses RB-NEMT's efficacy for rural areas, medical and logistical barriers, and makes policy recommendations.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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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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Understanding the Rural Swing Bed: More than Just a Reimbursement Policy
Provides an overview of the swing bed program and its role as a patient-centric post-acute care solution that helps rural hospitals serve their communities. Discusses the impact of the program, reimbursement, quality measures, and more.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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