ABSTRACT
Long-term care (LTC) is defined as a wide range of services to help individuals with chronic or permanent functional limitations, including difficulties with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. LTC can take many forms, including care in institutional settings, paid assistance, and care from loved ones. Formal LTC services include institutional care, such as skilled nursing homes, as well as home and community-based services, such as help with medical care and chores in one’s own home. The majority of all LTC, however, is provided by unpaid family members and friends, often called informal or unpaid caregivers. However, while formal LTC services are available in rural areas, rural residents face unique barriers in accessing such care for a variety of reasons, including transportation, workforce shortages, and financial constraints. The importance of LTC for rural residents is only going to grow as the population ages and as people live longer with many chronic conditions and limitations.
