Social Services to the Urban and Rural Aged: The Experience of Area Agencies on Aging

This study examines the differences in rural and urban Area Agency on Aging organizational characteristics and capacities, success in mobilizing resources, contextual environments, and service expenditure patterns. The results show that rural Area Agencies are particularly deficient in the fiscal and professional staff resources necessary for the development of a continuum of care for the aged. Rural Area Agencies are most deficient in services for the at-risk, frail aged. Special efforts need to be made to bolster the capacity of rural agencies to implement a continuum of care for the rural aged.