The Lived Experiences of Older Low-Income African Americans Living Alone: Implications for Aging in Place in the United States

Abstract

The numbers of older low-income African Americans (AAs) is increasing. However, there is a lack of research on the challenges to aging-in place faced by this population. The goal of this research was to document the lived experiences among older low-income AAs who live alone. Twelve participants were provided with surveys, engaged in video diary recording, and participated in in-depth follow-up interviews. Failing health was the most limiting factor for aging-in-place. Participants’ strategies for overcoming associated barriers included self-help and aid from informal caregivers. Findings can inform the development of interventions to support aging-in-place for older AAs and their caregivers.

Keywords:

• Aging in place
• ethnography
• video recording
• African Americans
• caregivers
• minority health
• social networks

Disclosure statement

The qualitative data in this study is not public, but can be supplied upon request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Office of the Provost at the University of South Carolina. The authors have no institutional of personal conflicts of interest to report.