Examines work interests and needs of older African Americans within context of issues related to changing labor force in which workers aged 18 to 34 have become decreasing segment of workforce. Contends that occupational social work is appropriate field within profession to conduct proactive research and to address policy and program needs of…

To understand the challenges African American families face when combining employment commitments and informal caregiving responsibilities, uses data from a sample of 119 African American elder-caregiver dyads. Examines the nature of caregiving relationships and extent to which caregivers' employment statuses affect the hours of care provided.…

Examined patterns of concomitant support to elderly blacks from family, friends, and church members using the National Survey of Black Americans. Eight out of 10 respondents reported receiving assistance from friends, 6 out of 10 received aid from church members, and over one-half received support from family. (Author)

Examined factors associated with service use among 186 urban African American elderly people. Interviews with elders and caregivers indicated that many elders were unaware that older adult services were available, that those elders who were socially isolated and who suffered from poor health used services more, and that most elderly respondents…

Elderly black farm women are neglected segment of elderly population. Their self-reliance, mutual support, and rurality have helped keep them isolated and underserved. Ten such women recalled their productive lifestyles in oral-history interviews and described problems faced because of their advancing age, poor health, caregiving responsibilities,…

Discusses the income status and work experience and earnings history of recently retired black and Hispanic women. The income status of older women was closely related to their life experiences. Black women, although they worked the most, reported an income status inferior to that of other women. (RJM)

Using a conceptual stress development model that treats informal supports and competency as potential mediators, examined outcomes of caregiving in samples of black and white caregivers. A perceived lack of informal supports and a sense of incompetency exacerbated stress among black caregivers but had no effects among the white caregivers. (RJM)