In this activity, you will discuss how a social sciences approach can address the challenges for rural and remote health in the context of aging.

Reference Guide Links:  

• Thinking in Rural Gap: Mobility and Social Inequalities.

Step 1: Review

Study the given scenario below:

Imagine yourself as a medical social worker. Early in your career, you are deployed for a two-month medical mission to a rural “aging” community (residents are mainly 65 and older) in your country. As this is your first time receiving such an assignment, it is expected that you will encounter some challenges and social influences that may hinder the success of your medical deployment. As a medical social worker, how do you think a social sciences approach can address the challenges that you will encounter in the rural “aging” setting?  

Step 2: Respond

Reflect on the given scenario by recalling some concepts covered previously, such as the social influences affecting rural health (see reference guide links above). After reflecting, study the “Rural Aging Community Assessment Table” and fill in the fourth column with the necessary details.

Note: Each box entry should be between 100 - 300 words (a total of 300-900 words for this table).

Step 3: Share

To share your work, click on the “Reply” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 4: Interact

To complete the activity, you will need to reply to at least two posts made by your peers in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “post to forum.”

OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”