ABSTRACT
Age-friendly communities are places where people of all ages, abilities, race, ethnicities, and economic levels have what they need to thrive. Rural communities are most likely to embrace age-friendly community and economic development when all older residents, the municipality, and partner organizations have a history of successfully working together. Working together allows small towns to develop community-specific initiatives while collaborating with other communities on regional issues such as transportation or housing. The accessibility of outdoor spaces and buildings typically open to the public affects the independence and quality of life of residents who have a temporary or long-term mobility limitation. Some rural age-friendly communities, such as Jackson Hole, Wyoming, have increased the number of benches in downtown areas. A challenge in many rural communities is access to broadband and communication technology. Rural dwellers have a higher risk for social isolation than their urban peers.
