Rural Aging Action Network

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RURAL AGING ACTION NETWORK

Building a stronger continuum of care for older adults and caregivers in rural America.

Aging in rural communities presents unique challenges that can limit access to healthcare, transportation and other services that are vital for older adults to maintain their autonomy and independence. Amidst these challenges lies an opportunity to support the one in four older adults in America who live in a rural community or small town—many of whom have spent decades on the same land—by expanding community-based services and supports.

Achieving sustainability through collaboration.

Rural Aging Action Network is our national collaborative dedicated to expanding sustainable community-based services and supports for older adults who are underserved in rural Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. We engage a range of strategic partners in this collaborative with the common goal of empowering older adults to age with independence, dignity and purpose in the community of their choice.

Our approach.

Our community-informed approach expands services by leveraging the unique assets and resources in rural communities—along with the characteristic strength and resilience of the older adults and caregivers—to remove barriers to care.

Results: This is what happens when we come together.

Explore through our new video series how our network is leading innovative approaches through strategic partnerships to expand access to healthcare, transportation and other supports for older adults so they can age in place in the community of their choice.

Since 2015, we have reached over 4,000 older adults and caregivers in more than 100 rural communities.

“The Lutheran Services in America collaborative’s efforts to support the sharing of resources and expertise among members received high marks and proved critical to addressing the overall challenge of rural aging in the participating communities.”

Rebecca Sales and Christin Lindberg

Research Scientists
Wilder Research

FEATURES

RURAL AGING ACTION NETWORK

Mobilizing Rural and Frontier Communities to Empower Older Adults and Caregivers

The Rural Aging Action Network model seeds investment in community-led approaches to aging in rural and frontier communities and is proven to accelerate solutions among our leading health and human services organizations.

Rural Aging Policy Priorities

Championing older adults and caregivers by advocating for policies and funding that meet their unique needs aging in rural communities.

LIVED VOICES:

Aging in Rural America – Cultivating a Thriving Community of Care

Capturing the joys and challenges faced by rural older adults, this study focuses on our work in three Midwestern counties in Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota.

LIVED VOICES: