The Black Elderly and the Social Service Delivery System: A Study of Factors Influencing the Use of Community-Based Services

Abstract

This study explored factors influencing the use of community-based social services by 100 older Black Floridians. The findings revealed that service use was extremely low and that living arrangement, income, source of income, and informal network aid significantly influenced service use. These results underline the importance of understanding the similarities and differences among these older Blacks with regard to use of community-based social services, and suggest the need for additional outreach efforts by service providers and the inclusion of more Blacks in the formal social service delivery system.