ABSTRACT

Changes in the body as one ages will increase the challenge of successfully aging-in-place. Rural communities, by definition, reflect lower absolute numbers of older adults, which in turn reduces the allocation of federal funds in support of community services, which may jeopardize one's ability to successfully age-in-place in the home of the people choice. Having family and friends locally available and/or easily accessible is an important consideration that can counteract, at least in part, limitations in publicly funded programming. Planning for retirement and where the people would like to live should factor in access to family and friends, faith-based communities, universities, etc. Loneliness and social isolation threaten the ability of older adults to successfully age-in-place in rural communities. Interventions and activities aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness, in turn, promote successful efforts at remaining at home and in one's community.