Identifying the Divergent Rural Training Needs Expressed by Older Adults and Gerontological Providers

TL;DR

This study explores the differing training preferences and needs of older adults and gerontological providers in rural Maine to improve aging-related education.

Contribution

The study provides a comparative analysis of rural training preferences between older adults and gerontological professionals in a highly rural state.

Findings

Gerontological professionals prefer in-person training more than older adults.

Older adults prioritize exercise and community living, while providers focus on end-of-life and cognitive decline.

Both groups agree that 30-60 minute webinars are most effective.

Abstract

Needs assessments of aging-related training and education commonly rely on the perspectives of those with specialized gerontological and geriatrics expertise and less so on the views of older adults themselves. Maine’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (AgingME2), now in its second operational cycle, conducts an annual assessment of preferred training content and delivery formats identified by both older adults and gerontological professionals. The 2025 assessment (n = 254; 53.9% older adults/community members and 85.4% gerontological professionals/caregivers; multiple roles could be selected) is representative of all 16 counties in the state, the most rural in the nation. Substantial proportions of both groups (approximately one-third) indicated awareness of both the 4Ms of age-friendly health care and the age positivity movement and 32.3% and 33.6% of older adults and health care providers, respectively, have discussed 4M’s related questions during their doctor/patient interactions. Significantly larger proportions of gerontological professionals and providers prefer in-person training compared to older adults (67.4% vs. 51.8%) as well as asynchronous webinars and other brief video formats. Providers emphasize the value of technology for reducing isolation/loneliness while older adults value it for lifelong learning and locating health resources. Exercise, remaining in the community, and driving safely are prioritized by older adults while providers emphasize end-of-life, cognitive decline and polypharmacy training. There is consensus that webinars of 30-60 minutes are preferable when offered. The implications of these differing perspectives for planning gerontological education and training learning sessions for older adults compared to professional providers are considered.