| This research examined social service awareness and utilization among 200 African Americans aged 60 years and older living in New Castle County, Delaware using a community-action research approach in the context of the Andersen and Newman behavioral health and social services utilization model. Formal and informal social support network utilization and how these factors influenced social service utilization were also investigated. Data was collected by conducting personal and telephone interviews.; The results of the data analysis indicated that education, income, social support network, living arrangement and need significantly impacted social service awareness. Greater awareness was found among respondents who had more education, lived with others and had higher incomes. However, persons who used more informal familial support and needed more assistance with instrumental/activities of daily living were less aware of services. Age, source of income, need and social support network were significantly associated with social services ever received. Persons who were older, needed assistance with instrumental/activities of daily living and used more formal social support had received more services. However, persons who received more retirement income from pensions had received less services. Marital status, source of income, type of insurance, social support and whether kin lived nearby significantly impacted social services currently receiving. Persons who were older, had health insurance other than Medicaid or Medicare with hospitalization coverage only, had other relatives living nearby and who used more friends in their social support network were currently receiving more services. However, persons who were married, received more retirement income from Social Security and had extended health insurance (hospitalization and doctor visits) other than Medicaid or Medicare were less likely to have been currently receiving services.; Implications for social policy, practice and research were also analyzed. |
