Researchers Pioneer Dementia Care in Rural Communities

University of Minnesota researchers are advancing dementia care innovations in rural communities, including visits to 47 counties. Their work addresses a structural gap in dementia research, which often overlooks rural and Indigenous populations despite their unique health challenges.

The team from the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth campus is studying how dementia care adapts in rural communities. Joseph Gaugler has visited over half of Minnesota’s counties to document dementia-friendly initiatives, while Dereck Salisbury led the MN Ride pilot study, which used exercise bikes and online coaching to support rural residents. Cliff Whitung focuses on improving dementia data accuracy and highlighting strengths in Indigenous communities. Their research highlights rural residents’ higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and hearing loss, factors linked to dementia risk, and suggests social isolation may play a role in rural dementia outcomes.

Salisbury plans to seek grant funding for a larger clinical trial on exercise effects in Northern Minnesota, while Gaugler continues county visits.

Montana’s rural character and dispersed population might present similar challenges and opportunities in dementia care innovation. The state’s geography could influence social isolation risks and healthcare access, suggesting that research approaches tested in Minnesota could inform strategies here. Montana businesses involved in healthcare or community services may find value in these evolving rural dementia care models.

Researchers Work to Address Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Rural Communities
By Liz Carey, The Daily Yonder