Lutheran Services in America has launched Rural Voices 2025 from a generous investment from The SCAN Foundation. The project expands on Lutheran Services in America’s longstanding commitment to rural aging and its national Rural Aging Action Network.
Rural Voices 2025 kicked off at the end of July in rural South Dakota and Minnesota — two states where older adults are underrepresented in policy and disproportionately impacted by provider shortages, limited infrastructure, and fragmented healthcare systems. In partnership with Public Policy Lab, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, human-centered interviews were conducted with older adults who are dual-eligible (receiving Medicare and Medicaid) to learn what rural older adults need to age in place, the barriers they face in navigating healthcare systems, and how faith-based nonprofit services contribute to their wellbeing.
This initiative uplifts the lived experiences of low-income, rural older adults by gathering firsthand insights to inform national policy and improve systems of care. Findings will be shared with policymakers, advocates, faith and aging partners to advance solutions that honor the dignity of aging in place regardless of where someone calls home.
For more information contact Regan McManus.
Regan McManus is Director of Aging Initiatives at Lutheran Services in America.
