Non-Family Caregivers of the African American Elderly: Research Needs and Issues1

At the beginning of this decade, changes in the demographic profile of the United States population, and specifically the “graying” of the African American population (Williams, 1990), directed the policy interest of the gerontological community to the long-term care needs of the frail and at-risk African American aged adult. Before that time the informal support system of the African American aged, including both family and non-family supports, had been primary in the provision of services and supports to the African American aged adult (Barresi & Menon, 1990). Changes in population dynamics and the service delivery context, however, have impacted negatively on the family in its caregiving role, thus causing the informal support system of the African American aged to weaken.