State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

TALKING WITH OLDER ADULTSBlack older adults illuminated a number ofconcerns related to health and well-being ina series of focus groups (see Appendix D).ACCESS TO HEALTHCAREAmong the concerns relating to healthcarewere: limited emergency services in close-inneighborhoods; perceptions that the emergencydepartment serves as a barrier tohospital care; and difficulty understandinghospital and healthcare bills. Having culturallycompetent care and providers of color wasdesirable and hard to find. Others reportedreceiving insensitive care and/or that racismpersists in our healthcare system.THE EFFECTS OF DISPLACEMENTRelocation to outer city areas (Gresham, Fairview,Tualatin, Vancouver) because of gentrification,for instance, was felt to have decreasedsocial networks and increased isolation amongolder Black people. Some participants areconcerned about mental health as they or theirloved ones in outlying areas grow older andhave less connection to social outlets. Transportationwas an impediment to reaching N/NE social outlets and health and social services.This problem includes the cost (gas andpublic transit), inadequate public transit networksand not knowing how to use serviceslike the TriMet LIFT.Participants said that the Black dispersionto outlying areas made services less available.And while housing may be less costlyin these areas, other costs, such as travel toneeded services and healthy food sources,are higher than for those who live in service-richneighborhoods. Participants believedthere is a lack of a concerted effort bythe City of Gresham and the City of Fairviewto meet their needs.NEGATIVE RACE-BASED EXPERIENCESOlder Black adults we interviewed felt thatupon walking into a business or service, theywere spoken to in a confrontational ratherthan welcoming and professional manner,and got inadequate treatment from thosereceiving them. Often this was even beforethey communicated the purpose of theirvisit. Many agreed with one participant’scomment that sophisticated dress or speechsometimes made things worse because theywere seen as “out of place.” Participants reportedthat dismissive or inadequate treatmentis so frequent, over time they’ve cometo expect it.80