Creating rural communities to promote healthy aging for boomers and beyond

As baby boomers are emerging into the older adults of our communities, it is important to consider ways in which rural communities are prepared to meet the needs of an aging population. The “Livable Communities” approach examined communities on ten specific domains to determine how viable communities were to promote healthy aging opportunities of their population as they grow older and want to remain in their communities. METHODS: Communities were assessed through the use of focus groups and key stakeholders to determine the strengths and areas of development necessary for boomers to remain in communities as they age. Communities were selected based upon demographic and socio-economic profiles to determine if there were similarities and differences between perceptions of stakeholders FINDINGS: Differences existed between communities and stakeholders regarding the perception of ideal communities for retirement. Resources and availability of specific health care and recreational opportunities played a key role in stakeholders wanting to remain engaged in a specific community. Rural communities most apt to promote healthy aging were not linked to resources, but social networks, and social capital to promote resources and resource development. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests strategies that communities can use to identify strengths and areas for development if communities want to create contexts to enable “boomers” and older adults to pursue civic engagement in communities that promote healthy lifestyles and engagement.