Today, older Americans are living longer. In 2009, nearly 39.6 million people age 65 and over lived in the United States (AoA). This number represents 12.9% of the U.S. population, or about one in every eight Americans (AoA). It is projected that by the year 2030, there will be about 72.1 million people age 65 and over, more than twice their number in 2000. As of 2007, the elderly make up 7.5 million of the 50 million people living in rural America (2008 Report).
Health in old age is greatly determined by living patterns such as sensory impairments, oral health, obesity, cigarette smoking, air quality, prescription drugs, access to health insurance, access to health care services, and opportunities for access to disease prevention and health promotion throughout the life cycle.
Elderly who live in rural areas face additional challenges. These include lack of transportation such as rides for essential trips, medical appointments, business errands, shopping and senior activities; lack of access to medical care; unavailable cultural and social services; and lack of adequate housing.
Sources
Older Americans 2010: Key Indicators of Well-Being; AoA: Aging Statistics; 2008 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Service Issues
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
AARP State Data Center
Web site
Analyzes and publishes data related to older Americans, organized by state. Topics include long term care, economic and demographic indicators, energy, and housing.
Aging
Web site
Provides information on caregivers, data and statistics, diseases and conditions, health insurance, HHS agencies, nursing homes and care facilities, safety and wellness, and other agencies and resources for older people.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Web site
Designed to streamline access to long-term care. Assists states in creating a single, coordinated system of supports and services for persons seeking long term support.
Aging and Disability Resource-LINK
Database
Provides access to current aging and disability information regarding services available in your area. Includes organizations and services in all U.S. counties, states, and territories. This is a free and confidential service.
AoA Regional Support Centers
Web site
Directory of AoA Regional Support Centers, which serve as the focal point for the development, coordination, and administration of Older Americans Act programs within the designated HHS region.
Eldercare Locator
Database
Connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services.
Links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Find Senior Care Resources
Database
Search by state or resource to find organizations and services targeted for seniors regarding end of life care, financial planning and management, health care, home care, housing resources, legal resources, and transportation resources.
Internet Resources on Aging
Web site
Includes a database providing Internet resources and links to more than 1200 of the best sites for people age 50 and over.
Mobility Equals Independence: Creating Greater Transportation Options for Older Adults
Tutorial
Presents the ideas and strategies of national-level policy makers and planners regarding their work and responsibility in transportation for older adults.
National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
Web site
Provides grants to States and Territories, based on their share of the population aged 70 and over, to fund a range of supports that assist family and informal caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible.
National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services
Web site
Provides leadership, technical assistance, education, and research for home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities. Formerly called Cash & Counseling.
NIH Senior Health: Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online
Web site
Serves as a toolkit for trainers that help older adults find reliable, up-to-date, online health information on their own. Designed for beginner or intermediate students. Kit includes an introductory video, lesson plans, and other training tools.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Web site
Addresses the needs of long-term care clients, providers, and payers. Features a comprehensive service delivery system and integrated Medicare and Medicaid financing. Permits loved ones to continue living at home while receiving services rather than being institutionalized.
Rural Health Research: Aging
Web site
Provides summaries of current and completed rural health research projects and related publications addressing the topic of aging, produced by the Office of Rural Health Policy's funded rural health research centers.
Services for Citizens: Senior Citizens
Web site
Lists organizations and programs on topics related to aging. Included topics are: benefits, retirement, housing, and health.
Social Security Online
Web site
Identifies programs and online services of the Social Security Office, including information on qualifying and applying online for disability and survivorship benefits.
State Resource Directory on Elder Abuse Prevention
Web site
Provides a state listing of websites for adult protective services.
Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers: Western Region
Web site
Located in Salt Lake City, UT, this center focuses on outreach, access issues, and the needs of Native Veterans and Aging Veterans.
Maps & Map Collections
Elderly Populations
Interactive
Geographic coverage: United States
Printable map that shows the percent of population who are 65 years or older nationwide by county. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2010. 2010 Census Summary File 1.
Date: 2012
Older Americans in Rural America: 2000 to 2009
Geographic coverage: United States
Shows the change in the share of over 65 population in each rural county between 2000 and 2009. With the exception of the Great Plains and parts of Central Texas, rural areas have shown an increase of the 65 and over demographic.
Date: 2009
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
2010 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Service Issues
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on issues related to rural America. Topics for this year include: home and community based care for rural seniors, rural primary care workforce, and rural health care provider integration.
Date: 05 / 2010
Accuracy of Referral for Portable Lipid Analyzers in an Old Order Mennonite Population
Author(s): Maria Eve Main, Susan Jones, Cathy Abell
Examines an old order Mennonite population through a comparison to a national standardized reference laboratory, regarding cholesterol, and the health care services in this community located in south central Kentucky.
Journal citation: Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages: 55-64
Date: 09 / 2010
Affordable Care Act Provisions Affecting the Rural Elderly
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Discusses a number of provisions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that focus on elderly health and human service needs.
Date: 12 / 2011
Affordable Housing and Services for Seniors: The Challenges in Rural America
Author(s): Nancy Libson, Robyn Stone
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
Provides an overview of the current housing challenges and strategies affecting seniors in rural communities.
Journal citation: Rural Voices Volume 17 Issue 4
Date: 2011
Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices
Author(s): Nicholas Farber, Douglas Shinkle, Jana Lynott, Wendy Fox-Grage, Rodney Harrell,
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Examines how state policies regarding land use, transportation, and housing, including rural issues, can help seniors age in place.
Date: 12 / 2011
Aging Services Network: Accomplishments and Challenges in Serving a Growing Elderly Population
Author(s): Carol V. O’Shaughnessy
Sponsoring organization: National Health Policy Forum
Describes the functions and governance of the aging services network for both rural and urban entities and its role in managing long-term care and health-support services funded by Titles III and VII of the Older Americans Act.
Date: 04 / 2008
Aging Services Network: Serving a Vulnerable and Growing Elderly Population in Tough Economic Times
Author(s): Carol V. O'Shaughnessy
Sponsoring organization: National Health Policy Forum
Discusses the historical development, functions, and governance of the Older Americans Act aging services network. Discusses populations served, including rural.
Date: 12 / 2011
Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures: Includes a Special Report on Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer’s Disease
Provides a statistical resource for United States data related to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, as well as other dementias. Includes implications for rural residents.
Date: 2010
Around the Country: Program Helps Frail Rural Elderly Live at Home
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Highlights the Rural PACE grant program and how it is helping providers meet the needs of seniors who want to live at home.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Issue Fall
Date: 08 / 2008
Crossing Great Divides: A Guide to Elder Mobility Resources and Solutions in Indian Country
Sponsoring organization: National Center on Senior Transportation
Provides information about transportation funding opportunities to meet the needs of elders living on reservations. Describes Title VI Aging Services and Tribal Transit Programs.
Date: 2010
Forgotten Population
Author(s): Zak Stambor
Sponsoring organization: American Psychological Association
Describes the use of telehealth and home-based health-care interventions to address a mental health crisis among elderly Americans in rural areas.
Journal citation: APA Monitor on Psychology Volume 37 Issue 10 Pages: 52-53
Date: 11 / 2006
Health Status and Unique Health Challenges of Rural Older Adults in California
Author(s): Eva M. Durazo, Melissa R. Jones, Steven P. Wallace, Jessica Van Arsdale, May Aydin, Connie Stewart
Sponsoring organization: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
Examines the health of rural elders and their
urban counterparts, and finds that both groups are more likely to be unhealthy than suburban
older adults.
Date: 06 / 2011
Housing an Aging Population: Are We Prepared?
Author(s): Barbara Lipman, Jeffrey Lubell, Emily Salomon
Sponsoring organization: National Housing Conference - Center for Housing Policy
Explores the effects of the growing population of older adults on the demand for housing, the challenge of providing meaningful housing choices for older adults of all incomes, and the policies that could help communities respond to the dual challenges of providing older adults with affordable housing and adequate services.
Date: 04 / 2012
Impact and Innovation: Effective Models and Practices in Serving Older Adults - Case Studies
Sponsoring organization: Alliance for Children and Families
Successful case studies that provide reinforcement and motivation to nonprofit human service organizations that use the social work profession to respond to the needs of older adults in both urban and rural settings.
Date: 01 / 2010
National Meals On Wheels Rolls Out Into Rural Areas
Author(s): Hilary Gibson
Sponsoring organization: Caregiver.com Inc.
Discusses the history of Meals on Wheels and their expansion into rural parts of the country due to the ability to offer individually packaged, frozen meals with foods that are simple to reheat as needed and can be ordered a month at a time.
Journal citation: Today's Caregiver Issue 497 Pages: 1
Date: 08 / 2010
New Models of Senior Housing: Continuum of Care Aims to Provide “Under One Roof” Services
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Discusses continuum of care and how it can ease residents through life transitions and benefit facilities financially. Describes programs that exist in various rural communities.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2008
New Models of Senior Housing: Modern Nursing Homes Offer More Home-Like Setting
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Many nursing homes are putting as much emphasis on quality of life as quality of care. Summarizes the nursing home in a rural Minnesota community.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2008
Older Americans 2010: Key Indicators of Well Being
Sponsoring organization: Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
Describes the overall status of the U.S. population age 65 and over. Covers 37 key indicators to portray aspects of the lives of older Americans and their families. It is divided into five subject areas: population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care. Provides Federal statistics from over a dozen national data sources to monitor several important areas in the lives of older Americans.
Date: 07 / 2010
Older Americans Working More, Retiring Less
Author(s): Anne Shattuck
Sponsoring organization: Carsey Institute
Finds that the percentage of Americans 65 and older remaining in the labor force continues to grow steadily in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Date: 2010
Older Population: 2010
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
Describes the older population of the United States in 2010. Part of a series that provides an overview of the population and housing data collected from the 2010 Census.
Date: 11 / 2011
Older Worker Employment Transportation Briefs: Forming Community Partnerships to Respond to Senior Employment Transportation Needs
Author(s): Pamela Friedman
Sponsoring organization: Community Transportation Association of America
Presents information about partnering opportunities and funding sources that can be used to facilitate transportation services to older adult workers traveling to and from rural or urban areas.
Date: 01 / 2008
Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Associated Risk Factors in the Old Order Amish in Northern Indiana: A Preliminary Study
Author(s): Deborah R. Gillum, Beth A. Staffileno, Karon S. Schwartz, Lola Coke, Louis Fogg
Presents the results of a study to determine the prevalence rates, risk factors, and types of treatments used to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease among a sample of the adult Amish in northern Indiana.
Journal citation: Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care Pages: 28-37
Date: 09 / 2010
Profile of Older Americans: 2011
Sponsoring organization: AARP
Provides demographic and health statistics about Americans age 65 and older in both rural and urban areas. Includes both narrative and statistical charts.
Date: 2011
Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Manual
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Includes the CMS PACE Manual. Explains requirements, marketing, enrollment, services, eligibility, benefits, and documentation. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 06 / 2011
Quick Health Facts 2010: Selected State Data on Older Americans
Author(s): Leigh Purvis
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Presents major health system characteristics for each state and the District of Columbia. Reflects current health care priorities, with a particular focus on data that is relevant to
the provisions of the recently passed health care reform legislation. State data sheets includes rural population in percent of total.
Date: 08 / 2010
Resilience in Older Adults Living in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Areas
Author(s): Margaret Wells
Presents the results of a survey which determined if resilience levels vary in older adults living in rural, urban, or suburban areas.
Journal citation: Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages: 45-54
Date: 08 / 2010
Rural Seniors and Their Homes
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
Describes the increase in rural elderly populations, discusses their housing needs and identifies rural housing programs.
Date: 08 / 2011
State of Aging and Health in America 2007
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides national data available on 15 key health indicators for older adults related to health status, health behaviors, preventive care and screening, and injuries.
Date: 03 / 2007
Strategic Action Plan 2007-2012
Sponsoring organization: Administration on Aging
Focuses on modernizing the Aging Services Network’s role in long-term care, and gives attention to implementing the new provisions contained in the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006. Establishes five goals and 13 objectives of which a portion specifically affects rural clients.
Date: 04 / 2007
Journals
Gerontologist
Provides a multidisciplinary perspective on human aging through the publication of research and analysis in gerontology, including social policy, program development, and service delivery. Reflects and informs the broad community of disciplines and professions involved in understanding the aging process and providing service to older people. Abstracts and citations available online free of charge, full text articles require paid subscription.
Journal of Aging and Health
Explores the relationship between gerontology and health. Covers a wide range of topics, including active life expectancy, diet/nutrition, disease prevention, ethics in health care, health behaviors and beliefs, health service utilization, longevity and mortality, long-term care, mental health, social support and health, recovery process, alcoholism, and suicide. Abstracts and citations available free, full text requires paid subscription.
Native Aging Visions
Contains peer-reviewed articles that address Native aging, health and related issues.
Social Security Update
Designed to keep the public up to date about Social Security issues with a particular focus on disability issues.
Organizations
AARP
National organization
Administers programs, funded by grants or cooperative agreements with governments or private organizations, that assist older Americans in a wide variety of services including job training, tax assistance, assistance with important lawsuits being decided by the courts, and much more.
Administration on Aging (AoA)
Federal government
Advocates for older persons and their concerns at the federal level. Administration on Aging (AoA) works closely with its nationwide network of State and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Provides home and community-based services to millions of older persons through the programs funded under the Older Americans Act.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Federal government
Sponsors and conducts research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes, quality, cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakers - patients and clinicians, health system leaders, purchasers, and policymakers - make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services.
Alzheimer's Association
National organization
Comprises the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's. Works to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
American Society on Aging (ASA)
National organization
Works to enhance the knowledge and skills of people working with older adults and their families through resources, publications, and educational opportunities.
Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA)
National organization
Works to influence public policy by advocating for informed choice, quality care, and accessibility for all Americans. Provides an interactive directory of professionally managed senior living communities.
Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
National organization
Provides researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages.
LeadingAge
National organization
Formerly called American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. Represents 5,600 not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and senior housing facilities, and home and community-based service providers. Works to advance the vision of healthy, affordable, and ethical aging services for America.
Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA)
National organization
Works to bring meals to seniors in need including men and women who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail, or at risk. Supports the Rural Initiative, a model for the rural Senior Nutrition Program.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
National organization
Serves as the umbrella organization for the 629 area agencies on aging and more than 246 Title VI Native American aging programs in the U.S. Advocates on behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans. Works to provide services which make it possible for older individuals to remain in their home.
National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA)
National organization
State Units on Aging (SUAs) are agencies of state and territorial governments designated by governors and state legislatures to administer, manage, design and advocate for benefits, programs and services for the elderly and their families and, in many states, for adults with physical disabilities.
National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)
National organization
Serves the needs of the assisted living community through national advocacy, education, networking, professional development, and quality initiatives.
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
National organization
Provides resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
National Council on Aging (NCOA)
National organization
Serves as an advocate on behalf of older adults living in rural America. Develops, recommends, and promotes social policy to enhance the quality of life for rural older adults.
National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)
National organization
Works to better the lives of the nation's indigenous seniors through advocacy, employment training, dissemination of information, and data support.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National organization
Leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. Provides leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.
National PACE Association (NPA)
National organization
Works to advance the efforts of Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). PACE programs coordinate and provide all needed preventive, primary, acute, and long term care services so that older individuals can continue living in the community.
National Resource Center on Native American Aging (NRCNAA)
National organization
Works closely with the local service providers throughout the nation to address the needs of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian elders.
Pioneer Network
National organization
Provides information in the field of aging and long term care. Focuses on providing home and community for elders.
West Virginia University Center on Aging (WVU COA)
Academic/Research
Works to improve the health, wellbeing and security of older people and those who care for them, in West Virginia and across the nation, through research, education, clinical service, technology and advocacy.
Terms & Acronyms
Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Licensed residential facility that provides room, board and 24 hour personal care to individuals with long term care needs.
Dial-a-Ride Non-fixed route service utilizing vans or buses with passengers boarding and alighting at pre-arranged times at any location within the system's service area.
Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) A health and human services professional, such as a gerontologist, nurse, social worker, or psychologist with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. Geriatric care managers work privately with older adults and their families to create a plan of care that meets the needs of the older adult. They will meet with you to help you understand your loved one's needs and to learn what resources and options are available to meet those needs.
Out-Migration Process when people leave their areas of residence without intention of returning. In rural areas, this is primarily the trend of younger people who migrate to larger urban areas.
PACE PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) programs serve individuals with long term care needs by providing access to the entire continuum of health care services, including preventive, primary, acute and long term care. A basic tenet of the PACE philosophy is that it is better for both the senior with long term care needs and the health care system to focus on keeping the individual living as independently as possible in the community for as long as possible.
Population Aging Changes in the age structure of a population, caused by changes in birth rate, mortality, and migration. The result of these changes is the increase in the relative size of the population age 65 and over.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) A program funded by the Department of Energy that reduces heating and cooling costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety.
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