Champion Your Health: Supporting Healthy Aging in Rural Communities During Older Americans Month

Each May, Older Americans Month (OAM) recognizes the contributions, resilience, and strength of older adults while encouraging communities to support healthy aging and independence. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the 2026 Older Americans Month theme, “Champion Your Health,” focuses on prevention, wellness, informed decision-making, and empowering older adults to take an active role in their health and well-being.

For rural communities across West Virginia and the nation, championing health often begins with improving access to care, services, education, and community support systems.

The West Virginia Rural Health Association is proud to support efforts through the National Rural Age-Friendly Initiative (NRAFI), a partnership between the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and The John A. Hartford Foundation. The initiative works to strengthen rural age-friendly care by developing resources, partnerships, educational opportunities, and evidence-based strategies that support older adults living in rural communities.

Approximately one in five older adults live in rural areas, where access to healthcare services, transportation, specialized providers, and support systems can present unique challenges. Through collaboration with national partners, healthcare organizations, community health workers, caregivers, and local communities, the NRAFI is helping advance practical, person-centered approaches that allow older adults to remain healthy, independent, and connected.

One important resource highlighted through the initiative is the “My Health Checklist,” developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement with support from The John A. Hartford Foundation. This tool helps older adults and caregivers prepare for healthcare visits while supporting conversations around the 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly Care:

• What Matters
• Medication
• Mentation
• Mobility

The initiative also recognizes the important role of Community Health Workers (CHWs), caregivers, and local support systems in helping rural older adults navigate healthcare services, remain safely in their homes, and maintain independence. Programs focused on dementia care, chronic disease prevention, palliative care, transportation access, telehealth, falls prevention, and healthy aging are all essential components of supporting older adults in rural communities.

In addition to direct services and community-based support, policy and advocacy efforts continue to play a critical role in advancing healthy aging. Through initiatives such as the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), states are exploring ways to integrate age-friendly care models, expand home-based care services, strengthen caregiver support, improve transportation access, and enhance digital literacy and telehealth services for older adults.

As we recognize Older Americans Month, WVRHA encourages individuals, healthcare providers, organizations, caregivers, and community leaders to continue building systems and partnerships that empower older adults to champion their health through prevention, education, access to care, and community connection.

How You Can Support Healthy Aging:

• Encourage preventive screenings and routine healthcare visits
• Support opportunities for social connection and community engagement
• Promote healthy lifestyles through nutrition and physical activity
• Advocate for accessible healthcare and transportation services
• Recognize and support caregivers and community health workers
• Share resources and educational opportunities that support healthy aging

Older Americans Month reminds us that healthy aging is supported not only through healthcare, but through strong communities, meaningful connections, and systems designed to help older adults thrive.

To learn more about Older Americans Month, visit Older Americans Month | ACL Administration for Community Living