National Resource and Policy Center on
Rural Long-Term Care
FACT SHEET - RURAL OLDER WOMEN AND HEALTHCARE by Nancy D. Barnes, ABD and Mercedes Bern-Klug, MSW, MA
RURAL OLDER WOMEN IN THE U.S. Throughout the country, there are millions of older women who live in rural towns and communities. In fact, the majority of older rural residents are female. About 10% of rural older women are of advanced age, (within the 85+ age group). The income level of rural older women is also a major consideration. The percentage of rural older women living within 150% of the poverty level far exceeds the percentage of urban older women who do so. And, when household living arrangement is examined, it is found that rural older women are much more likely to live alone, (i.e., they are widowed, divorced, separated, or have chosen not to marry). When viewed as a group, it is true that rural older women are poorer and more likely to live alone than any other group of older Americans--including rural or urban men and urban women. QUICK FACTS: (Information from the 1990 U.S. Census) * approximately 4.3 million women age 65 or older live in rural areas; 447,000 are 85 years of age or older * of all rural residents, rural older women are most likely to be living in or near poverty * rural older women are more likely to live alone than rural older men; nearly half of all rural older women in the 75+ age group live alone
HEALTHCARE AND RURAL OLDER WOMEN Overall, rural older women are in poorer health than urban older women. There are several barriers that prevent rural older women from receiving the healthcare services that they need. Poverty and the cost of private insurance to supplement Medicare coverage are two major obstacles that must be considered. In addition, there are fewer healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, etc.) and fewer public transportation services in rural areas. Primary care health services are essential to maintain personal independence and good health. QUICK FACTS: * there is a higher prevalence of diabetes, bronchitis, and high blood pressure among rural older women; however, they use fewer physician services than urban older women (McConnell & Zetzman, 1993; Himes & Rutrough, 1994) * 68% of rural older Black women have never had a Pap smear (White et al., 1993) * underuse of mammography is more likely among women who are poor, live in rural areas, and have less than 12 years of education (Aday, 1993) * in general, rural women have less formal education than urban women (Battenfield, Clift, & Graubarth, 1981) * for rural older women, transportation to a healthcare service provider may be a major challenge--many rural areas do not have public transportation and ownership of an automobile may be too costly (Stunkel, 1995) * poorer older women who are on Medicare but cannot afford supplemental insurance are less likely to visit a physician (Seccombe, 1995) REFERENCES Aday, L.A. (1993). At risk in America: The health and health care needs of vulnerable populations in the United States. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. Battenfield, D., Clift, E., & Graubarth, R. (1981). Patterns for change: Rural women organizing for health. Washington, DC: National Women's Health Network. Himes, C.L. & Rutrough, T.S. (1994). Differences in the use of health services by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan elderly. Journal of Rural Health, 10, 80-88. McConnell, C.E. & Zetzman, M.R. (1993). Urban/rural differences in health service utilization by elderly persons in the U.S. Journal of Rural Health, 9, 270-280. Seccombe, K. (1995). Health insurance coverage and use of services among low-income elders: Does residence influence the relationship? Journal of Rural Health, 11, 86-97. Stunkel, E. (1995). Rural public transportation: Practices and policy and the mobility of older persons. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University, Center For Aging. U.S. Bureau of the Census. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. White, J.E., Begg, L., Fishman, N.W., Guthrie, B., & Fagan, J.K. (1993). Increasing cervical cancer screening among minority elderly. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 19, 28-34. SELECTED INTERNET SITES Consumer Coalition for
Quality Health Care National Organization for
Women National Women's Health
Resource Center Older Women's League
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