Caring for the Elderly in Rural Communities

The need for healthcare and help with daily activities grows significantly as people age. Even simple chores such as doing laundry or remembering to take medications can become difficult or even impossible due to a range of health and mobility issues. While this is hard enough for seniors in urban areas, it’s even more challenging for elderly people in rural communities.

The number of people over the age of 65 has grown substantially in the last few decades. Now, people who are aging in rural areas are in need of care services from medical professionals and aides who can help them remain in their homes by helping with various tasks.

So, how can aid services and healthcare professionals reach elderly people in these rural areas? Here are some of the ways people are providing care for the elderly in out-of-the-way places.

The Challenges of Aging in Rural Areas

People enjoy living in rural areas for lots of reasons. Some people like the peace and quiet, the slower pace, the fresh air, and the closeness to nature. Others find living in rural areas more affordable—you can definitely get more for your money outside of urban centers. Some simply live in the country because it’s where they grew up.

Whatever the reason, it’s hard to deny that living far from the city can be inconvenient, especially as it gets harder to maintain independence. Elderly people often can’t drive themselves to appointments or to go shopping, which severely limits their options and quality of life. The lack of resources and amenities can make it difficult for elderly people to remain in their homes.

Additionally, healthcare services and healthcare professionals are often minimal in rural areas. Elderly people may not have access to specialist services and often have to travel long distances even for routine care. This is a major challenge, especially for people with chronic conditions.

Social isolation is yet another issue that affects rural seniors—senior centers and activities might be too far away and some elderly people experience loneliness that affects their mental health. A lack of community resources and engagement can be a major issue for people as they get older.

Bringing Healthcare Solutions to Rural Areas

A major priority for seniors is healthcare. Most people eventually develop chronic conditions that require ongoing management and monitoring. When transportation is an issue, people don’t always get the care they need.

Fortunately, telemedicine is making a huge, positive difference in the lives of people everywhere, especially in rural communities. Remote healthcare minimizes the number of doctor’s visits needed and can help people manage their health conditions more easily. Telehealth and wearable devices can help elderly people living in rural communities be more involved in their health and encourage them to be more proactive.

Another solution to this is mobile healthcare services. Mobile clinics and medical vans can be dispatched to rural communities, allowing people to conveniently access much-needed healthcare services. These solutions can not only provide basic healthcare services for the elderly, but also supplement and support local medical professionals.

Providing incentives for healthcare providers and caregivers is yet another way to deliver better rural healthcare. Many providers are not interested in rural postings without additional incentives (such as bonuses, housing, or other perks). However, providing these incentives can be difficult for organizations operating in low-income rural areas with little insurance coverage.

Providing Meals and Home Help for Seniors

In rural areas, food deserts (areas with no access to grocery stores or other fresh food vendors) are a huge problem, especially for the elderly. When standard grocery delivery isn’t an option or when seniors have trouble cooking for themselves, meal delivery services can be a huge help. Meals on Wheels and other organizations bring meals straight to people’s homes, helping them to stay independent and providing them with the nutrition they need to stay healthy.

Another way people can provide care for the elderly in rural communities is through household help. Volunteers can help seniors out with tasks like laundry, cleaning, meal prep, and running errands. Even occasional help can sometimes be enough to bridge the gap and help improve the quality of life for elderly people living in remote places.

Increasing Social Opportunities and Improving Community Outreach

Social interaction is incredibly important for everyone, especially for seniors. Part of caring for elderly people in rural communities is ensuring that there are opportunities for people to socialize and support one another. Establishing community spaces and programs designed for seniors is a great way to help reduce the impact of isolation.

Another way to increase social opportunities is through volunteer work and community service. In addition to helping with household chores, volunteers can help simply by providing elderly people with companionship. Although in-person social interaction is always better than digital meetups, volunteers can still make a positive difference by talking with seniors on the phone or through video chat.

Boosting Access to Technology for Seniors

Many of the solutions to elder care in rural areas involve the use of technology. By helping people get access and training in using technology solutions, it’s possible to help seniors maintain their independence. Once they know how to use technology, elderly people in rural areas can shop online, access telehealth services, and connect with loved ones—all activities that support their well-being.

Raising Awareness for the Needs of Rural Seniors

Many people don’t realize how difficult life can be for seniors in rural areas. When someone needs the help of a caregiver or ongoing health monitoring, innovative solutions are needed.

The good news is that with today’s technology, elderly people are often able to continue living in the homes that they love. Raising awareness can also be a major help in ensuring that people get the care they need.

We need to help ensure good quality of life for all seniors, no matter where they live. In rural communities, that often means bringing in resources, technology, and medical care—essentials for a long and happy life.