Supporting Seniors in Rural Communities Through Neighborly Care

WHO:

CBS News - Mae Buchli, 98 years old, resident of North Dakota.

CBS News - Lynda Hoerauf, 88 years old, resident of North Dakota.

CBS News - Father Gary Benz, a local priest.

CBS News - Viola Weinhart, 96 years old, parishioner.

CBS News - Jane Strommen, gerontology specialist at North Dakota State University Extension.

CBS News - Kyla Sanders, retired nurse and regional coordinator for Aging in Community.

WHAT:

CBS News - The number of counties where at least 20% of residents are over the age of 65 has nearly tripled since 2010.

CBS News - One in five adults in rural counties is age 65 or older.

CBS News - The Rural Health Transformation Program is investing $50 billion to improve access for seniors to healthcare.

CBS News - The Aging in Community program aims to build connections among neighbors to support rural seniors.

CBS News - The Aging in Community program is expanding to serve 12 North Dakota counties.

WHERE:

CBS News - North Dakota, specifically small farming towns like Hebron and Glen Ullin.

CBS News - Rural counties classified as "frontier," meaning there are six or fewer people per square mile.

WHY:

CBS News - Rural America is aging faster than urban America, leading to increased health risks associated with loneliness and social isolation.

CBS News - Jane Strommen noted that older adults can sometimes get overlooked and forgotten, especially in challenging years.

HOW:

CBS News - The Aging in Community program encourages neighbors to form a support network for seniors.

CBS News - Kyla Sanders provides assistance to seniors, including organizing game days and helping with various tasks.

(UPDATED July 26, 2026 15:17 UTC)

In North Dakota, the Aging in Community program is expanding to serve twelve counties, addressing the growing needs of seniors as one in five adults in rural areas is now 65 or older. The program, which aims to build connections among neighbors to support older residents, is part of a larger initiative backed by a $50 billion investment from the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access. As rural America ages faster than urban areas, experts like Jane Strommen emphasize the importance of community support to combat loneliness and social isolation among seniors.