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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Home and community-based services

Improving Rural Health: State Policy Options for Increasing Access to Care
Discusses strategies from state legislatures and other stakeholders to increase access to healthcare in rural areas. Focuses on policies and policy options for state legislatures in three areas: improving health insurance coverage, safeguarding rural health facilities, and changing rural healthcare delivery. Features examples from Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Author(s): Jack Pitsor
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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The Most Costly Chronic Medical Condition in America: Experts Talk About the Rural Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Describes the impact of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias in rural areas, the challenges of providing treatment and care, and initiatives underway to address dementia in rural communities.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Can Age-Friendly Planning Promote Equity in Community Health Across the Rural-Urban Divide in the US?
Utilizes the AARP Livability Index to explore differences in physical and built environment and social environment when comparing rural/urban counties. AARP Livability Index includes data breakdowns such as neighborhood, housing, transportation, and engagement, among others. Discusses additional factors such as income and population that impact community health in rural areas. Explores age-related community planning and its relationship to health challenges and community livability.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Mildred E. Warner, Elaine Wethington
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1275
Date: 02/2020
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Connecting Rural Older Americans with Technology: Lessons from Senior Planet
Highlights an initiative aiming to increase technology literacy among rural older adults in New York through the launch of technology centers, local partnerships, and training. Discusses implementation and lessons learned, including adapting the program to offer a home-based component.
Date: 2020
Sponsoring organization: Senior Planet
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Helping Patients Living in Rural Areas Transition from Hospital to Home - The ROADMAP Study
Evaluates a hospital discharge planning program's effectiveness in providing support to rural patients returning home after staying in a hospital. Includes patients' demographic information and compares the number of emergency department visits and rehospitalizations of the control group with those of the intervention group.
Author(s): Tom Seekins, Jennifer Wong, Lynda Yearous, et al.
Date: 2020
Sponsoring organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
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The Evolving Policy Landscape of Telehealth Services Delivered in the Home and Other Nonclinical Settings
Issue brief identifying key findings for state officials considering adopting new policies for home-based telehealth services. Describes Medicaid and Medicare coverage for telehealth services, including those provided in rural and Health Professional Shortage Areas, Critical Access Hospitals, and Rural Health Clinics.
Author(s): Brittany Lazur, Andrea Bennett, Valerie King
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Supportive Services and Caregiving for Older Rural Adults: Policy Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Provides an overview of current supportive services and caregiving policies for rural older adults, in terms of availability, accessibility, and acceptability of services. Explores topics including long-term services and supports, telehealth, care coordination, transportation, stigma, and unpaid caregivers, and describes federal programs for older adults. Offers policy recommendations and considerations.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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National Program Helps Older Adults in Rural Maine and Hawaii Feel More CAPABLE
Highlights CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders), a national model that connects low-income older adults with an occupational therapist, registered nurse, and home repair services. Features programs implemented in Hawaii and Maine based on this model.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Support and Services at Home (SASH) Evaluation: SASH Evaluation Findings, 2010-2016
Evaluates the Support and Services at Home (SASH) program in Vermont, which provides support services and care coordination for older adults and people with disabilities in conjunction with affordable housing. Addresses Medicaid and Medicare expenditures, medication management, property management, challenges, and lessons learned. Identifies the percent of rural SASH host properties and differences for rural areas.
Additional links: Highlights
Author(s): Amy Kandilov, Vincent Keyes, Noëlle Siegfried, et al.
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Older Americans Act: HHS Could Help Rural Service Providers by Centralizing Information on Promising Practices
Focuses on services and resources authorized by the Older Americans Act to help older adults age in place in rural communities. Addresses challenges accessing home and community-based services in rural areas and information on strategies for addressing those challenges. Covers home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, family caregiver services, case management, and homemaker services. Research included interviews with ACL officials, rural area agencies on aging (AAA) in 8 states, rural health experts, and stakeholder groups; a literature review; and site visits.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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