Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42667160›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association2026

Urban Versus Rural Differences in Services Requested, Received, and Interest Expressed Among Informal Caregivers of Older U.S. Veterans.

Elizabeth S Chamberlin, Steven D Shirk, Victoria Ngo, Elizabeth Marfeo, Maria Venegas, Cathy Cruise, Bret Hicken, Lauren R Moo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Elizabeth S ChamberlinNew England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4524-8379
Steven D ShirkNew England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.
Victoria NgoNew England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9973-8379
Elizabeth MarfeoDepartment of Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9075-7362
Maria VenegasNew England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.
Cathy CruiseDepartment of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Digital Health Office/Office of Connected Care/Telehealth, Washington, DC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2068-7716
Bret HickenVeterans Rural Health Resource Center, VA Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Lauren R MooNew England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2951-8674

Funding

VA Office of Rural Health #009682
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeIncreasing population longevity has led to greater demand for home and community-based services (HCBS) to assist older adults as an alternative to institutional care. Despite the recognized benefits of HCBS, there are significant differences in their availability and utilization between rural and urban communities. This study aimed to (1) compare rural and urban caregivers of older veterans in terms of searching for and receiving services and (2) examine differences in expressed interest in various service types.

methodsFive hundred and eleven older veterans' caregivers completed an online survey on various HCBS. Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes (RUCA) were utilized to determine rurality, and data were analyzed using chi-squares, t-tests, and logistic regressions.

findingsThere were no differences in service interest between urban and rural caregivers. However, there were differences between the services searched for and those received. Urban caregivers were less likely than rural caregivers to seek respite. Urban caregivers also reported receiving more services than rural caregivers.

conclusionThis study indicates that rural and urban caregivers' interest in services is similar; however, rural veterans receive fewer HCBS than their urban counterparts. This study highlights potential gaps in the service pathway for rural caregivers. It provides insights into which specific services might benefit from targeted interventions to improve access and utilization for veterans in rural areas. The findings directly inform evidence-based resource allocation, targeted program development, and policy interventions designed to mitigate rural-urban disparities in caregiver support.

Indexed as

CaregiversRural PopulationUrban PopulationVeteransAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHome Care ServicesHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited Statesfamily caregivershome and community‐based services (HCBS)informal caregivingveterans

Identifiers

PMID42667160
PMCPMC13525637

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.