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 ContributorsPrefaceForeword by Graham RowlesAcknowledgments 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 Websites2. Who are Rural Elders?Case StudyIntroductionChallenges for Rural EldersOpportunities and StrengthsDiversity among Rural EldersConclusionsUseful Websites PART II: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS OF RURAL ELDERS 3. Health and Wellness among Rural Elders Case StudyIntroductionHealth DisparitiesBehavioral HealthScreening IssuesAccess to Health CareHealth StatusSocial/Familial IssuesEnvironmentStoicism and SurvivalInternational PerspectivesPoliciesConclusionsUseful Websites 4. Housing, Poverty, and Transportation in Rural Places Case StudyHousingPovertyTransportationRecommendationsUseful Websites 5. Work, Retirement, and Leisure in Rural Places Case StudyIntroductionRural AmericaEmploymentRetirementLeisure and RecreationConclusionsUseful WebsitesPart 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 StudyIntroductionRecreationSocializationEducation and Lifelong LearningWork and EmploymentConclusionsUseful Websites 8. Providing Services to Frail Elders in Rural AreasCase StudyIntroductionAcute CareLong-term CareEnd of Life CareConclusionsUseful WebsitesPart 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 StudyIntroductionOlder Americans ActMedicareLong-term CareMental HealthCaregiver SupportTransportationSocial Security ActAmericans with Disabilities ActAffordable Care ActFood SubsidiesCompetencies to Improve PoliciesConclusionUseful Websites 13. Conclusion and Future Directions INDEX