Aging in Rural Places

Elaine Theresa Jurkowski, PhD, MSW, is a professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Social Work, where she teaches courses in health and aging policy, research, and program evaluation and social work practice. Dr. Jurkowski also holds joint appointments with the Department of Public Health and Recreation Professions and SIU’s School of Medicine’s Family Practice Residency Program. Kristina M. Hash, PhD, LICSW, is Professor of Social Work, and Director, Gerontology Certificate Program, West Virginia University. Elaine Theresa Jurkowski, PhD, MSW, is a professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Social Work, where she teaches courses in health and aging policy, research, and program evaluation and social work practice. Dr. Jurkowski also holds joint appointments with the Department of Public Health and Recreation Professions and SIU’s School of Medicine’s Family Practice Residency Program. John A. Krout, PhD, is Professor of Gerontology and Director of the Gerontology Institute at Ithaca College.

List of Contributors




Preface




Foreword by Graham Rowles




Acknowledgments





PART I: INTRODUCTION


1. What is Rural?: Introduction to Aging in Rural Places



An Aging World


Definitions of Rural


Spatial Distribution of the Older population


Rural Population Change and Variation


Plan of the Book


Conclusions


Useful Websites




2. Who are Rural Elders?




Case Study




Introduction




Challenges for Rural Elders




Opportunities and Strengths




Diversity among Rural Elders




Conclusions




Useful Websites





PART II: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS OF RURAL ELDERS


3. Health and Wellness among Rural Elders






Case Study




Introduction




Health Disparities




Behavioral Health




Screening Issues




Access to Health Care




Health Status




Social/Familial Issues




Environment




Stoicism and Survival




International Perspectives




Policies




Conclusions




Useful Websites







4. Housing, Poverty, and Transportation in Rural Places





Case Study




Housing




Poverty




Transportation




Recommendations




Useful Websites







5. Work, Retirement, and Leisure in Rural Places






Case Study




Introduction




Rural America




Employment




Retirement




Leisure and Recreation




Conclusions




Useful Websites




Part III: PROVIDING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS TO RURAL ELDERS







6 Providing Services to Rural Elders



Case Study


Introduction


Service Needs of Rural Elders


Service and Service Utilization



Barriers to Services for Rural Elders


Conclusions


Useful Websites







7. Providing Services to Well Elders in Rural Areas






Case Study




Introduction




Recreation




Socialization




Education and Lifelong Learning




Work and Employment




Conclusions




Useful Websites






8. Providing Services to Frail Elders in Rural Areas




Case Study




Introduction




Acute Care




Long-term Care




End of Life Care




Conclusions




Useful Websites




Part IV. COMPETENT PRACTICE IN RURAL AREAS







9. Interdisciplinary Teams Caring for Rural Elders



Case Study


Introduction


Models of Teamwork


Health Literacy



Recruitment and Training of Professionals in Rural Areas




Conclusions


Useful Websites






10. Role of the Health Care Professional



Case Study


Introduction


Health Care Practice with Rural Elders


Professional Competency


Conclusions


Useful Websites







11. Role of the Human Service Professional



Case Study


Introduction


Social Work Practice with Rural Elders


Professional Competency


Competency and Evidence-based Practice for


Geriatric Social Work in Small Towns and Rural Areas


Conclusions


Useful Websites









Part V: CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS







12. Policies Impacting Rural Aging





Case Study




Introduction




Older Americans Act




Medicare




Long-term Care




Mental Health




Caregiver Support




Transportation




Social Security Act




Americans with Disabilities Act




Affordable Care Act




Food Subsidies




Competencies to Improve Policies




Conclusion




Useful Websites







13. Conclusion and Future Directions





INDEX