Results from the 2013 Senior’s Health Services Survey: Rural and Urban Differences

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast health education needs of rural Oklahomans aged 65 and older compared to urban and sub-urban populations. METHODS: Surveys were distributed to a list of registered voters age 65 and older in Oklahoma with a total of 1,248 surveys returned. Survey items asked about interests in services, classes and activities, plus current barriers to accessing and/or engaging in such programs. FINDINGS: Survey respondents living in large rural towns (23.7%) and the urban core (21.5%) were significantly more likely than those in small rural towns (14.0%) or sub-urban areas (15.5%) to have attended a free health information event in the past year (P=0.0393). Older Oklahomans in small towns and isolated rural areas reported more frequently than those in the urban core that they would participate in congregate meals at a center (small town/isolated rural: 14.4%, urban core: 7.2%) (P=0.05). Lack of adequate facilities was more frequently reported by those residing in small town and isolated rural areas compared to urban core areas (16.4% vs. 7.8%, P=0.01). Finally, older Oklahomans in the large rural towns (0.6%) and small town and isolated rural locations (2.13%) less frequently reported use of senior information lines (Senior Infoline) than those in the urban core (6.0%) and in sub-urban areas (7.1%) (P=0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this survey provide useful data on senior interests and current barriers to community programs/activities have some unique trends among both urban and rural populations.