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# Rural Communities

Rural communities face unique barriers in accessing supports and services. For older adults, this includes access to senior nutrition programs. Programs serving rural communities must understand and address these challenges to meet the needs of older adults. 

## Tools & Toolkits

                    - Rural Oral Health Toolkit — Resources from RHIhub for developing and implementing  oral health programs in rural communities
                    - Rural Suicide Prevention Toolkit — RHIhub resources to initiate and sustain evidenced-based suicide prevention programs for rural residents

##  Presentations

                    - Addressing Nutrition & Social Connection Needs of Rural Older Adults (YouTube)  — Webinar on nutrition & connection activities at three older adult nutrition programs during the pandemic                       - Addressing Nutrition & Social Connection Needs Slides 
                    - Understanding and Addressing Inequalities in the Food System — University of Missouri webinar series                       - Inequalities in the Food System (YouTube)
                      - Inequalities in Rural Areas (YouTube)
                      - Inequalities in Urban Areas (YouTube) 

## Reports

                    - Aging in Place in Small Urban and Rural Communities  — University Transportation Center study

##  Resources

                    - How Transit is Expanding Access to Food for Rural Older Adults and People With Disabilities — NCOA article on creative ways some programs are overcoming the obstacle of transportation for rural participants
                    - Offering Chronic Disease Self-Management Education in Rural Areas — NCOA article with tips for offering Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDMSE) in rural areas
                    - Better Medicare Benefits Outreach in Rural Areas — NCOA article with tips for improving Medicare benefits outreach in rural communities
                    - How Physical Activity Helps Rural Older Adults Stay Strong and Steady — NCOA article about an evidence-based program to improve physical fitness with fewer barriers
                    - Benefits Outreach to Underserved Populations: Best Practices — NCOA article on targeting underserved populations and connecting them to benefits
                    - Rural Health Information Hub - Resources and Topics — RHIhub directory of resources for rural communities, organized by topic area

## Related Topics

                    - Cultural Competency
                    - Targeting Strategies

*Last modified on 01/11/2024*

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ACL funds the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center to build the capacity of senior nutrition programs funded by the Older Americans Act to provide high-quality, person-centered services and enhance program sustainability and resiliency.

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An official website of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.