Rural/Urban Patterns of Aging and Caregiving in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of different residential environments on informal and formal caregiving provided to older people. The author uses two kinds of evidence to address this central concern. First, recent demographic trends are examined to ascertain the availability of informal caregivers among older people living in different places of residence. This line of inquiry focuses on the supply of potential caregivers. Second, previous research on rural/urban patterns of informal and formal caregiving for older people is reviewed. In conjunction with these two lines of inquiry, the author discusses past, present, and future trends in aging and caregiving. Because little direct evidence exists with which to examine particular aspects of rural/urban patterns of caregiving, the author discusses needed areas of future research.