Challenges to Independent Living for the Urban Elderly Population

America is facing an increase in its elderly population because people are living longer and because Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age. The research addressing the elderly population and the challenges it faces leaves many questions unanswered and potential connections between various fields unexplored. The elderly population often is neglected in society and academic research, as it is viewed through stereotypes or a patronizing “sense of duty.” Although much research has been conducted relevant to raceand gender-based inequalities, especially in urban settings, not nearly as much research has been done on the elderly, to include older citizens who live in our cities. Many people do not associate the elderly with the city, or they wonder why one would choose to live in the city in his or her old age. For some elderly people, this is a choice they make, but for most who live in an urban environment, they are simply continuing on with their lives (Smith 2003). When considering the situation of the elderly in urban America, several issues deserve special attention, including health status and the neighborhood dynamics in which older people live. More than that, connections between these areas must be drawn to discover challenges this population faces and indicators that determine its independence. This paper examines ageism, health concerns, neighborhood dynamics, and how these impact one another, as well as available healthcare services, governmental support, and even racial discrepancies, to address what it takes for the elderly population to remain in its homes.