The Rural Elderly and the Church

The growing numbers of rural elderly in America has resulted in a burgeoning of research on this constituency. Such research has identified information on the living cirumstances of rural elderly as well as on the advantages and disadvantages of the rural milieu as a context for aging. Research has also demonstrated the central role which religion and the church play for the rural elderly, and it is iwth this knowledge that the church must expand its role in service to this population. The church may enhance its role by beginning with four major areas: (1) increasing church accessibility; (2) complementing formal service programs; (3) enhancing indigenous support networks; and (4) providing educational programs.