John a. Krout - Böcker

Drawing on the expertise of researchers and practitioners, this volume presents detailed information on a wide range of community-based services that are needed by and available to elders living in rural areas. The contributors explore how these services can be developed given the realities of rural settings, resources, and populations. They identify the barriers to development and operation, and offer possible solutions. Specific topics include senior centers, referral systems, housing and transportation, employment and retirement, health promotion, and health care. This volume features section overviews as well as an informative, thorough introduction and epilogue that highlight common themes and issues. Most chapters are co-authored by a researcher and a practitioner. Researchers, planners, practitioners, and policy makers interested in gerontology, social work, health services, and nursing will appreciate the research-based information Providing Community-Based Services to the Rural Elderly contains. "Dr. Krout has undertaken a formidable task to cover vast areas relating to services to the rural elderly. It is a subject not adequately covered by current literature and could be used for teaching future and current practitioners and policy planners. . . . Overall the [book] meets an important need. . . . Many of the chapters tie applied research to pragmatic community issues and identify needed policy development. This is a valuable asset for the student, practitioner, and policy planner." --Florence Gray Soltys, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "John A. Krout describes eleven key services from a rural perspective through the experience of the researcher and the practitioner. By bringing together some twenty-four authors from both sectors, Krout has provided a form for two different but related approaches to understanding rural service delivery. . . . Krout has identified a unique focus with this book by concentrating on community based services for the rural elderly. Because there is such a great need for more information on rural service deliver, Providing Community-Based Services to the Rural Elderly is a welcome addition to the literature." --Journal of Women and Aging

Based on the Pathways to Life Quality longitudinal research study, this book explores the ways in which older adults' residential choices impact their health and well-being. The study examines the factors associated with life quality for persons living on their own in the local community, as well as those in various housing arrangements such as a continuing care retirement facility, adult home, income-subsidized housing, and senior apartments. Topics include plans and adjustment to moving; role identities; social relationships, participation, and integration; health and activity patterns; and coping with life events.

Research documents that rural elders are poorer, live in less adequate housing, and have far fewer health and service options available to them than their urban counterparts, yet there is a critical lack of current and detailed information on the problems facing rural elders and on the professional practices that serve this population. This text fills this gap by introducing readers to rural areas and their residents and discussing the issues, programs, and policies designed to meet their needs. Through a multidisciplinary lens, it examines and defines specific competencies required for successful work with older adults and their families in these communities.The text presents a research-driven, competency-based approach for the health and human service professionals who work with older rural residents. It discusses both the problems facing older adults and their families and evidence-based solutions regarding policy and best practices. Key issues examined include health and wellness, transportation, housing, long-term care, income, employment, and retirement, along with the needs of special populations (ethnic minorities, immigrants, and the LGBT population). Case examples reinforce an interdisciplinary model that addresses practice with rural elders that encompasses professional competencies, values and ethics, and the roles of a spectrum of health and human service professionals. The text also examines current policies affecting health and social services to rural elders and recommendations for policy change to build an effective health and human service workforce in rural communities. In addition, the text provides discussion questions, PowerPoint slides, a test question bank, and suggested activities and exercises.Key Features: Fills a vacuum regarding information on health and social services for rural elders Provides current and comprehensive knowledge about issues besetting this population and programs and policies designed to meet their needs Examines and defines specific competencies required for effective health and social services Based on a research-driven, competency-based, interdisciplinary approach to policy and best practice