Supporting Seniors in Rural and Urban Areas

As people live longer and choose to age at home, the question of where they age becomes increasingly important. Whether in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, older adults have distinct needs - and the support they receive often depends on their environment.

While the core goals of aging in place remain the same - safety, independence, connection - the path to achieving them looks different in rural vs urban communities. Understanding these differences is key to designing systems, technology, and services that truly meet seniors where they are.

Here’s how aging looks across rural and urban settings - and how we can better support older adults in both.

Aging in Rural Communities: Strengths and Challenges

Rural life offers space, familiarity, and tight-knit communities. Many older adults in rural areas have lived in the same home or community for decades. That sense of place matters deeply.

✅ Strengths:

Strong community ties and neighborly support
Often more affordable housing
Less environmental noise and stress
Closer connection to nature, which may benefit mental health

🚧 Challenges:

Limited access to healthcare - many rural areas lack nearby GPs, specialists, and hospitals
Transportation barriers - public transport is rare, and driving may become unsafe
Digital divides - slower internet or lack of digital literacy can make it harder to access telehealth and apps
Caregiver shortages - fewer professional carers or dementia support workers nearby

A 2023 report by the Rural Health Information Hub found that rural seniors are more likely to report unmet health needs and face higher rates of social isolation.

Aging in Urban Communities: Strengths and Challenges

Urban settings offer convenience, access to services, and increasingly, senior-friendly infrastructure. However, they also come with pace, pressure, and complexity.

✅ Strengths:

Closer proximity to healthcare, pharmacies, and services
Public transportation can keep seniors mobile
Access to community centers, classes, and social programs
Often better internet access and exposure to digital tools

🚧 Challenges:

High cost of living, especially in cities like Auckland, Sydney, or New York
Environmental stressors like noise, air pollution, and fast-paced environments
Safety concerns, especially for those with mobility or cognitive issues
Housing challenges, such as stairs, cramped units, or lack of age-friendly design

Aging in urban environments may offer more service access - but not all services are age-inclusive, and navigating busy systems can be overwhelming for some.

Strategies for Supporting Rural Communities

Rural areas offer a unique sense of connection, history, and belonging for many older adults. But with fewer formal services and greater physical distance between people and providers, rural communities require creative, community-based solutions to support aging in place.

Here’s how we can better support seniors living in rural settings:

1. Expand Telehealth and Mobile Care Services

One of the most effective ways to close the healthcare gap in rural areas is by bringing care to the person, rather than requiring travel to distant facilities.

How to help:

Invest in reliable broadband infrastructure to make virtual appointments and health monitoring possible
Support telehealth-friendly clinics that train seniors to use video visits
Fund mobile care units - like visiting nurses, dementia consultants, and allied health professionals who can reach remote communities
Integrate platforms like Elli Cares, which allow family members or remote care teams to monitor medication adherence, mood, and behavioral changes between visits

👉 Example: Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service brings essential care to remote areas and could be paired with tech tools like Elli for ongoing support between visits.

2. Create Flexible Transportation Solutions

Without public transit or taxi options, rural seniors may become isolated - unable to get groceries, attend appointments, or see friends.

How to help:

Encourage community rideshare programs (e.g., volunteers or local councils offering weekly shuttle routes)
Subsidize non-emergency medical transportation
Collaborate with existing services like Meals on Wheels to offer transport add-ons
Promote caregiver-coordinated errands through family apps or task-sharing tools

👉 Example: In New Zealand, some districts run mobility van programs through council-run Age Concern groups, providing a model for low-cost, scalable services.

3. Build Local Volunteer Networks

In areas with few formal caregiving services, neighbors often step in - but they need structure and support.

How to help:

Create a “Time Bank” system where locals exchange time for services (e.g., rides for yardwork)
Form peer support groups for caregivers or seniors with shared conditions
Train volunteers in basic dementia care and fall prevention, then match them with households needing support
Encourage local community centers to host “drop-in” days for social connection and health checks

This “hyperlocal” model doesn’t require a hospital - it just requires trusted faces and practical help.

4. Close the Digital Divide

Many rural seniors miss out on services simply because they lack access to internet or confidence in using digital tools.

How to help:

Expand rural internet coverage through public-private partnerships
Host digital literacy workshops at libraries, churches, or community halls
Design tech with rural seniors in mind: large buttons, offline functionality, and minimal data needs
Use platforms like Elli Cares that allow caregivers to help set up and manage reminders remotely—reducing the burden on the senior user

👉 A report from Pew Research highlights that seniors in rural areas are significantly less likely to have high-speed internet, which directly impacts access to telehealth and e-support tools.

5. Support Aging in Place Through Home Modification

Falls and accessibility issues are a leading reason rural seniors are forced to leave their homes.

How to help:

Offer home safety assessments (via occupational therapists or trained volunteers)
Fund grants or subsidies for home modifications, such as ramps, grab bars, or improved lighting
Encourage the use of fall detection technology and daily check-in apps to prevent emergencies from going unnoticed
Partner with local hardware stores or councils to create “Safe Home Starter Kits”

👉 Combine these changes with Elli Cares’ check-ins and Safe Track feature to create a 360-degree support system, even without daily in-person visits.