American Indian Culture and Research Journal

Urbanization is a relatively recent (post–World War II) phenomenon for most Indian people, and it is only the current generation of elders who have chosen to remain in the city rather than return to their home communities on reservations. Urban American Indian elders are a population whose well- being has not been fully examined. This study focuses on a small convenience sample of urban Indian elders in the Rochester, New York, area who are active in the local Native community. Initially, we observed that many of these elders enjoy a high degree of physical, mental, and emotional well-being, despite some chronic health conditions. We suggest that their strong extended family support network, involvement in the community, and a sense of cultural continuity contribute to a sense of overall well-being. We have chosen to focus on wellness, looking at overall health, rather than simply at illness. Health in this sense refers to “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” as defined by the World Health Organization. Weibel-Orlando used a similar approach to look at Indian elders in Los Angeles, as did Blandford and Chappell to study Native elders in Winnipeg. Carstensen has urged researchers to focus on the strengths of elders, as well as the problems, noting that “we need to study not just the frail and sick senior citizens, but also people in the second half of life who are aging well, without an undue amount of illness and disability.” This model is increasingly used by the medical profession, including the World Health Organization, and is particularly important to a holistic Native view of health and well-being.