A survey and evaluation of community-based interventions for elderly widowers within the community of Alameda, California

A survey of Alameda was conducted to identify the services available to elderly widowed men. Several support groups were identified, one led by professional counselors and the other led by a pastor. A focus group of three elderly widowers was conducted to learn what resources they had accessed and what resources they would like to have offered within the community of Alameda. An additional widower was interviewed individually with the same purpose. One of the men had accessed one of the groups and was dissatisfied with it. The three other men had not accessed any services. A majority of the men interviewed were strongly interested in peer-led support groups, which are not available within the community of Alameda.