Families and support networks among African American oldest-old

This article examines the demographic profile of oldest-old African-Americans who reside in the San Francisco Bay Area. Family life and social support available from adult children, relatives, and friends are explored as they vary by gender. Bivariate analyses indicate that females receive more help from relatives and friends, and males receive more help from immediate family members. Parent and childless respondents were compared for instrumental supports. The childless received support from a variety of helpers, whereas, the parents received help from family or the formal sector. Overall, fewer family members were available to assist the oldest-old with community living, although many were able to redefine relationships and increase the numbers of helpers available to assist them. These findings indicate that the principle of substitution operates among some segments of the older African American population, primarily those who are childless. This pattern was more evident among females than among males.