Objectives: This study identifies differences in unmet mobility needs among older adults living in rural versus urban areas.
Methods: We used data from Round 9 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), limiting our analyses to respondents who had not moved since baseline (average housing tenure of 27 years; n = 3343). We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to detect rural/urban differences in unmet mobility needs, adjusting for socio-demographics, health status, and housing characteristics.
Results: Rural residence was associated with higher odds of any unmet mobility needs for older adults aging in place (adjusted odds ratio: 1.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-2.44, p < .05). The relationship between rurality and unmet needs for help with mobility limitations remained significant in fully adjusted models.
Discussion: Rural older adults aging in place have greater unmet needs for help with mobility limitations. This study highlights several important gaps in supporting rural older adults aging in place.
Keywords: aging in place; housing; mobility limitations; rural.