Aging in Place for Rural Seniors

Resources for older adults who live at home have boomed over the past 20 years, especially in large cities and suburban areas. Thanks to federal, state, and grant funding, seniors living in populated areas can access services ranging from free and reduced-cost transportation to meal delivery services to borrowing durable medical equipment. However, older adults living in rural areas don't necessarily have the same access to resources and support services. If you or your aging loved one live in a rural area, you might have to get creative and know where to look to receive the support you need.

Seniors in Rural Areas

A senior in a rural area may have lived in their town for most of their life. Seniors also retire to rural areas for various reasons, including to be close to family members, return to nature, or enjoy a slower-paced atmosphere. Financially savvy retirees may live in a smaller, rural town to enjoy a lower cost of living that will help stretch their fixed budget. In any case, seniors are living in rural areas, but rural areas don't always have the resources to support them.

However, living in a small town has plenty of benefits, including close-knit neighbors who can quickly become part of an outstanding support system. You have to know where to look to get the services and support needed.

Build a Comprehensive Health Care System

Most rural areas only have one hospital, which immediately limits your choice for emergencies. However, building a comprehensive health care system and a team of experts can be beneficial for preventative care and follow-up appointments. Here's who to add to your team:

• a primary care physician in the local area that the senior can get to easily for annual check-ups and preventative care
• a local pharmacy that, if possible, offers home delivery of prescriptions if requested
• medical professionals within the network that provide telehealth appointments when it is appropriate
• specialists that have the right to practice in the closest hospital to the senior and the larger hospital that might be farther away but has more capabilities
• a home health agency that provides both medical and non-medical services, including physical and occupational therapy, to the area where the senior's home is

Talk to your primary care physician if you're having trouble building a team of specialists and experts. They can direct you to larger cities nearby or connect you with health care professionals who provide telehealth appointments.

Nutrition

Healthy nutrition can be challenging for older adults living in cities and rural areas, especially if the senior doesn't like to meal plan or prepare food for just themselves. There are a few resources in rural areas that can support healthy nutrition:

• Meals on Wheels brings meals to senior's homes daily or once weekly, depending on its volunteer base and model. This service is typically run through nonprofit organizations in local areas, such as places of worship.
• Congregate meal sites provide hot meals to adults older than 60 in a social setting, such as a church annex, senior center, or VFW hall. Not all rural communities have these programs, but it's worth researching if a site is nearby.
• Grocery delivery services can be ordered through Amazon or Instacart, if available. Small-town grocery stores may also offer this service for a small upcharge, which can be worth the investment to get fresh food to the home.

Socialization

Isolation can be more prominent in rural areas, especially if the senior no longer drives or relies on community transportation to connect with peers in town. Here are some ways to ensure you or your loved one are connecting with peers in person or otherwise:

• Connect with the local senior center. There are thousands of senior centers of different sizes around the country serving older adults in their communities. These hubs of activity might host congregate meals, activities, and even health fairs.
• Explore adult day centers in your area. Not everyone who uses adult day center services lives with cognitive decline or is unsafe living at home alone. Instead, it can be a safe and engaging place to spend a few days per week.
• Have a social calendar posted in the kitchen or by the door with planned phone calls or video chats with family members. This gives the senior something to look forward to each day, even if they aren't leaving the house.

Transportation

Seniors in rural areas may have a small network of public transportation to use when getting to appointments, errands, or social gatherings. However, that doesn't necessarily mean there aren't some types of transportation services in the area:

• Senior-specific transportation, which may be a bus or private car. Typically, these services are run through the town hall or senior services department. Depending on demand, you might need to reserve services weeks ahead of time, so be sure to book transportation as soon as you book your medical appointment.
• Churches and other places of fellowship often offer volunteer driving services to seniors in the community, whether they go to the church or not.

Neighbors as a Support System

Relying on neighbors is even more important in a rural area, including seniors connecting with their neighbors down the road.

• Make sure neighbors nearby have contact information of the senior's family members so they can reach family as needed.
• When possible, pay neighbors to help out. For example, a gas card can be purchased for someone who drives the senior to medical appointments or for the teen who drops off groceries.

Emergency Response

Rural streets and addresses are sometimes challenging to explain to 911 operators. Contact the local fire department and emergency response system to ensure that your loved one's address is current and that first responders know how to get into their home.

Local Resources

When finding services in a rural area, recommendations from neighbors are a great first step. From there, connect with:

• town hall
• senior services within the rural town or county
• area Agency on Aging
• places of worship
• local hospital
• primary care physician
• local Department of Public Health

When you interact with these organizations, you'll be connected with services and resources that can help you thrive in your rural community as you age.

Caregiver Health

Finally, ensure that family caregivers are receiving the support they need. Caregiver burnout is real and can affect rural caregivers more due to the lack of services and resources. Rural caregivers may be less likely to use community services such as support groups, even if they are available.