Farming

 NPR - There are about 1.9 million farms in the U.S., with 40% owned by farmers 65 and older. Despite a trend of consolidation, as of 2022, about three-quarters of farms earned $50,000 or less in sales a year, according to the Department of Agriculture. The average farmer can afford a year or two of long-term care by using their savings, or by selling their crops, livestock and machinery, according to Robert Moore, an attorney and researcher at Ohio State University’s Agricultural and Resource Law Program.

Community can be a big help for senior citizens. A pilot program at North Dakota State University Extension, Aging in Community, supports older people living alone in rural areas as they are at the greatest risk of struggling under the radar. Kyla Sanders, a coordinator for the program, has different responsibilities every day — from setting up the internet in their homes to helping older adults apply for Medicaid.   Though rural towns are often thought of for their tight-knit communities, distance and neighbors moving away are barriers for social connection. Loneliness can have detrimental effects on physical health, including increased risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia, according to a report from the U.S. surgeon general.

A closer look at the people in these towns and their efforts to get medical care through photos and their stories.