ABSTRACT

The introduction to the seven African American elders focuses on their disabling conditions, their life histories, and the physical settings in which they now live their constricted lives. These African American elders are Eloise Little, Ruby Washington, Viola Worth, Reverend Joseph Scott, Lucy Oliver, Geraldine Starr, and Sally Finch. Lifetimes of perseverance, self-reliance, and hard work have contributed to the many strengths these seven African American elders manifest as they continue their struggle to cope with their failing capacities. Like many old people, they have multiple chronic conditions, including arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, urinary dysfunction, organic and affective brain disorders, alcoholism, and hearing and visual impairments. These conditions are manifested in different ways and to different degrees, yet they result in the dependence of each of them on others to meet many or most of their basic needs.