Rural America’s Aging Population Finds Unlikely Allies in Neighbors and Volunteers

The number of older Americans living in rural areas has nearly tripled since 2010, according to the USDA. This trend is particularly pronounced in counties where at least 20% of residents are over the age of 65.

Despite the challenges of rural life – limited resources, isolation, and economic decline – many seniors choose to stay put. For Mae Buchli, a 98-year-old from North Dakota, it’s a matter of principle: “We decided we’re not going to move, ‘cause we want to stay home.” This resolve is echoed by countless others who’ve grown accustomed to the quiet rhythms of rural life.

However, as these seniors age, they face heightened health risks associated with loneliness and social isolation. While some may relish their independence, others struggle to connect with services that are often woefully inadequate in these areas. “Sundays are the worst,” says Lynda Hoerauf. “There’s nothing going on.” This lack of community is compounded by the sheer scale of rural America – vast expanses of land, sparse populations, and limited access to healthcare.

Innovative programs like Aging in Community have emerged as beacons of hope. Funded by philanthropic organizations like Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, these initiatives tap into a latent reservoir of volunteerism and neighborly support. By empowering local residents to take on caregiving roles, Aging in Community helps bridge the gap between what’s available from federal programs – which often fall short – and the specific needs of rural seniors.

Regional coordinator Kyla Sanders has spent five years delivering assistance that ranges from practical (stopped wristwatches) to social (game days). Her work speaks to a profound shift in attitude: instead of simply providing services, Aging in Community seeks to amplify the inherent value of community itself. As Sanders notes, “Our clients are saying that they have a higher quality of life… that they feel more connected to resources locally.” This is no small achievement – especially when compared to the limitations of federal healthcare initiatives.

The expansion of Aging in Community into 12 North Dakota counties, including some classified as “frontier” territories, underscores its potential for scale and impact. Yet, this model’s success also raises uncomfortable questions about our society’s priorities: will we continue to prioritize grand, top-down solutions over grassroots experiments that yield tangible results? As the Rural Health Transformation Program pours $50 billion into healthcare access, might not some of this funding be better allocated towards community-based initiatives like Aging in Community?

The fate of rural America’s aging population hangs precariously in the balance. While policy debates rage on Capitol Hill, it’s programs like Aging in Community that are forging a different kind of landscape – one where neighbors become caregivers, and the quiet rhythms of rural life take center stage. As Hoerauf once told us, “There’s no place like home.” Perhaps it’s time to start listening – not just to her words, but to the unassuming work being done by individuals like Sanders and Strommen, who’re rewriting the script on what it means to age in America.