Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Contributors -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Share Aging in Rural Places: Policies, Programs, and Professional Practice -- Part I-Introduction -- 1. What Is Rural? Introduction to Aging in Rural Places -- An Aging World -- The Importance of Rural Aging -- Definitions of Rural -- Spatial Distribution of the Older Population -- Rural Population Change and Variation -- Plan of the Book -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- 2. Who Are Rural Older Adults? -- Challenges for Rural Older Adults -- Opportunities and Strengths -- Diversity Among Rural Older Adults -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- Note -- References -- Part II-Health and Human Service Needs of Rural Older Adults -- 3. Health and Wellness Among Rural Older Adults -- Health Disparities -- Behavioral Health -- Screening Issues -- Access to Health Care -- Health Status -- Social/Familial Issues -- Environment -- Stoicism and Survival -- International Perspectives -- Policies -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- 4. Housing, Poverty, and Transportation in Rural Places -- Housing -- Poverty -- Transportation -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- 5. Work, Retirement, and Leisure in Rural Places -- Rural America -- Rural Employment -- Retirement -- Leisure and Recreation -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- Part III-Providing Health and Human Services to Rural Older Adults -- 6. Providing Services to Rural Older Adults -- Service Needs of Rural Older Adults -- Service and Service Utilization -- Barriers to Services for Rural Older Adults -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- 7. Providing Services to Well Older Adults in Rural Areas -- Recreation -- Socialization -- Civic Engagement and Volunteering -- Education and Lifelong Learning -- Work and Employment -- Conclusion.

Useful Websites -- References -- 8. Providing Services to Frail Older Adults in Rural Areas -- Acute Care -- Long-Term Care -- End-of-Life Care -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- Part IV-Competent Practice in Rural Areas -- 9. Interdisciplinary Teams Caring for Rural Older Adults -- Models of Teamwork -- Health Literacy -- Recruitment and Training of Professionals in Rural Areas -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- Note -- References -- 10. Role of the Health Care Professional -- Health Care Practice With Rural Older Adults -- Professional Competency -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- 11. Role of the Human Service Professional -- Social Work Practice with Rural Older Adults -- Professional Competency -- Competency and Evidence-Based Practice for Geriatric Social Work in Small Towns and Rural Areas -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- Part V-Conclusions and Future Directions -- 12. Policies Impacting Rural Aging -- Older Americans Act -- Medicare: Health Care and Health Care Access -- Long-Term Care -- Mental Health -- Caregiver Support -- Transportation -- Social Security Act -- Americans with Disabilities Act -- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- Food Subsidies -- Competencies to Improve Policies -- Conclusion -- Useful Websites -- References -- 13. Conclusions and Future Directions -- Part I: Introduction -- Part II: Health and Human Service Needs of Rural Older Adults -- Part III: Providing Health and Human Services to Rural Older Adults -- Part IV: Competent Practice in Rural Areas -- Part V: Conclusions and Future Directions -- Final Thoughts -- References -- Index.