Abstract Search Find and explore abstracts from the RSS Annual Meeting

Community, Health, and Family

Community Perspectives on Aging Across Tennessee Kayla Alvis*, Kayla Alvis, Qian Huang,

The population of adults aged 65 and older is growing rapidly in Tennessee, creating distinct challenges and opportunities for rural communities where access to services, infrastructure, and healthcare is often limited. This project is part of a larger effort to develop the Tennessee Multi-Sector Plan for Aging Data Dashboard, Version 2. The purpose of this work is to illustrate the lived experiences, challenges, and priorities of adults aged 65 and older across selected Tennessee counties, thereby amplifying the voices of older adults in discussions of rural health and aging.

Our team conducted focus groups with adults aged 65 and older across 11 counties (six rural and five urban) in Tennessee between October 2025 and February 2026. Counties were selected based on their geographic location within the state, county-level characteristics such as the proportion of adults aged 65 and older, and the presence of a local community partner to support recruitment efforts. Focus groups were conducted separately in rural and urban settings to capture place-based differences in experiences and priorities. Participants were adults aged 65 or older residing in the selected counties and represented diverse backgrounds in terms of gender, race, living arrangements, and socioeconomic status.

Discussions lasted approximately one hour and explored key domains related to health aging, and well-being, including access to healthcare, transportation, social engagement, housing, caregiving, economic security, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and other social determinants of health. All discussions were audio-recorded with participant consent, professionally transcribed, and coded using an established rapid coding methodology. Multiple team members independently coded approximately 20% of the transcripts and met regularly to ensure reliability.

Preliminary findings suggest that older adults’ experiences in Tennessee vary by county and by rural and urban settings. Common challenges include transportation limitations (e.g., lack of public transportation or other reliable options), economic insecurity (e.g., fixed incomes coupled with rising cost of living), and limited access to Alzheimer’s and related dementia care and resources. At the same time, many participants highlighted important community assets such as strong social support networks and local community and senior centers.

By centering the experiences of older adults and integrating qualitative perspectives with statewide aging indicators, this work aims to inform policy, planning, and program development in Tennessee. Findings underscore the importance of place-based, community-informed approaches to rural aging and contribute to discussions of rural health, aging in place, and access to care among older adults in Tennessee and beyond.