Marjorie H. Cantor

Neighbors and Friends An Overlooked Resource in the Informal Support System

This research presents empirical findings concerning the extent to which older people in the inner city neighborhoods of New York City have an informal network of friends and neighbors and the nature of the interactions which occur. The characteristics associated with individuals possessing extensive friend-neighbor networks are discussed, and the preferences of older people for assistance from kin versus nonkin in a variety of situations are explored. Several theoretical models concerning the operation of the informal support system are considered, and the author postulates a new model—the hierarchical-compensatory model-as best fitting the empirical data at hand. The findings are from the largest cross-cultural study of the elderly in urban poverty, The Elderly in the Inner City of New York with an N of 1,552, including 49% white, 37% black, and 13% Hispanic elderly.

Social Networks of Aging Gay Men

Social support becomes an increasingly important resource for people as they age. Research has shown that the needs of older gay men are no different than those of their heterosexual counterparts, nor are older gay men more isolated than older men in general. Research has shown gay men rely on friendship networks more often than on family while heterosexual men rely more on family for social support. Using the most conservative estimates, there are more than two million gay men over the age of 60 in the United States. Results from the first large-scale research project of caregiving in the gay and lesbian communities in NYC challenge the myth of the isolated aging gay man. Two hundred-thirty three gay men, ages 50–87, reported an average of five friends, with whom they were close. Thirty-six percent were partnered, and nearly 90% reported at least fair health and being at least somewhat satisfied with their lives, despite 30% reporting feelings of depression. Results dispel the myth that gay men are not involved with their biological families; when present, biological family members were close to and maintained contact with respondents. Yet relatives were much less likely to be called upon for help. Respondents were most likely to turn to partners, if available, followed by friends.

Social Care: Family and Community Support Systems

The growing number of elderly is bringing about dramatic changes in family life, in the nature and extent of interventions necessary to support an aging population, and in our notions about respective roles of family and community in providing for these needs. Although most older people manage independently with only the ordinary assistance family members provide each other, growing numbers of the oldest old and persons suffering from frailty and incapacity require more extensive social care. The term “social care” is often used synonymously with “formal community services,” but the concept is broader, also encompassing informal family care. Social care is directed toward needs critical to independence: socialization and self-development, help in tasks of daily living, and assistance with personal care. At present, older people prefer that social care be provided within a family context, turning to formal community interventions only when families are unable to provide the required assistance. But given increases in numbers of working women, the restructuring of the family, and changing attitudes about the communitys role as service provider, a more carefully articulated partnership between family and community will be required in the future.

Factors in Differential Utilization of Services by Urban Elderly

This paper examines the extent to which people aged 60 years and over living in the inner city of New York utilize community services. It was found that agencies providing income maintenance were utilized by the highest percentage of fhe respondents, followed, in order, by the police, religious organizations, and the housing authority. Among the lowest in reported utilization were voluntary social agencies such as settlement houses and family service agencies. There was also a low level of utilization of visiting nurse and homemaker services. Differences in utilization were found among ethnic groups represented in the population. Reasons for the low level of service utilization are discussed.