Aging in Rural Places

Programs, Policies, and Professional Practice

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Aging in Rural Places

Programs, Policies, and Professional Practice

Author

Elaine Jurkowski, MSW, PhD

Editors

Kristina M. Hash, PhD, LICSW

Elaine Jurkowski, MSW, PhD

John A. Krout, PhD

Read a sample chapter

Description

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

Contents

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

Authors

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.

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