My scholarship is motivated primarily by an interest in aging in rural environments. I study the characteristics of older rural residents as well as how the conditions of rural communities and institutions affect rural older people. My research contributes to disciplinary concerns, extension and outreach and to public policy discussions. I often use life course theory and methods to investigate the timing, context, history and trajectories of events and transitions in the lives of older rural residents. Most of my work has focused on the United States, but I have examined similar issues in Western and Eastern Europe and recently also in Japan. I also focus my research and extension on health and health care in rural communities and what the implications are for community and rural development.
