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In underserved, inner-city ghettos known for drug-related violence and crime, active participation in community life is dangerous and even life-threatening. This is especially true for elders burdened with the infirmities of aging and lacking the means to provide for alternatives to social isolation. These conditions can increase their risks for mental and physical ill health. In this 3-year urban ethnography, a Philadelphia senior center that provided a haven during daytime hours was found to be vital to the social health of elders. In the center, elders exchanged fear and social isolation for companionship as a means to survive threats to their health and well-being. This finding suggests the need to understand the life exigencies of inner-city residents to provide culturally competent health care. |
