Currently, more than 80% of all long-term care is provided by informal (unpaid) caregivers, usually family members, and more than 44 million Americans are currently providing unpaid care to a loved one, the majority of whom are older adults. The value of unpaid caregiving has been estimated at nearly $500 billion annually, yet it receives far less research attention than institutional care or home health services. Caregiving, especially without appropriate support, is associated with various poor health outcomes for the caregiver. While the entire US is aging quickly, rural areas are aging at a faster rate and have greater long-term care needs. Further, rural areas face shortages in the formal long-term care workforce, pushing even more of the burden of care to unpaid caregivers. Yet, caregiver support programs are scarcer in rural areas, leaving caregivers who may need help most at the greatest risk of not receiving it. This project describes rural-urban differences in the prevalence and intensity of informal caregiving for older adults and associated socio-demographic correlates and as well as identifies potential policy interventions to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of rural caregivers.

Publications

• A National Examination of Caregiver Use of and Preferences for Support Services: Does Rurality Matter?
  Journal Article
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 07/2018
  The objective of this study was to assess rural-urban differences in caregiver use of and preferences for support services.
• Perspectives on Rural Caregiving Challenges and Interventions
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 08/2018
  This brief presents findings from key informant interviews describing challenges and opportunities related to supporting informal caregivers in rural areas.
• Resources for Caregiving in Rural Communities
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 08/2018
  This policy brief describes resources that are being used across the country to support caregivers in rural communities.
• Rural-Urban Difference in Workplace Supports and Impacts for Employed Caregivers
  Journal Article
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 06/2018
  This study finds that employed rural caregivers had significantly fewer workplace benefits available to them compared with urban caregivers. In particular, employed rural caregivers were less likely to have access to telecommuting, employee assistance programs, and paid leave.
• Unmet Need for Personal Care Assistance Among Rural and Urban Older Adults
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 06/2019
  This brief presents data on rural-urban differences in unmet need for personal care among older adults with functional limitations.