Aging in place: a proposal for rural community-based care for frail elders

Rural health care is hampered by uneven development of services and multiple definitions of rurality. One of the most vulnerable populations in this setting is older residents. This article explores existing models of long-term care for the older population and proposes a model for rural community-based care. This model emphasizes the contributions of advanced practice nurses as coordinators of a collaborative system of care for the targeted population. Issues of cost and quality, as well as the strengths and limitations of the model, are addressed.