House Calls

"The photographs will open doors, will open people's eyes and will hopefully open people's hearts." Dr. Mark Nowaczynski

"Who in the world would want to see a bunch of pictures of me? Junk," says Connie Chapman, 93, who has a heart condition and lives alone with her cat Oscar, who she calls "my boyfriend." At 86, Joe is tough, lively and profane, but since his legs gave out, his horizon doesn't stretch much past his front porch. Ria, 90, calls herself a "stubborn mule" and doesn't want anyone feeling sorry for her. Her cobweb-filled home is a testament to the simpler past she longs for.

All three are patients of Mark Nowaczynski, a physician and photographer who started documenting the lives of many of his elderly clients. Determined to improve the quality of life for a generation that's already endured the Great Depression and World War II, "Dr. Mark" has been photographing his patients to raise awareness about the lack of home care in this growing segment of the population. The evocative black-and-white pictures reflect faces that convey fragility and vulnerability but also quiet strength and courage as these seniors struggle to live the rest of their lives with dignity.