Nativity, Declining Health, and Preferences in Living Arrangements Among Elderly Mexican Americans: Implications for Long-term Care

Abstract

This study employs data from the 1993-94 Hispanic Established Population for Epidemiological Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE) to assess the impact of nativity on preferences in living arrangements for a sample of 3,046 Mexican American individuals over the age of 65. Our results reveal great differences between the native and foreign-born in their desire to live with their children. A larger fraction of the foreign-born than native-born currently live with their children and state that they would care to continue living with their children in the event that they could no longer care for themselves. The data also reveal that the foreign-born face more serious economic constraints than the native-born and suggest that living with children may be motivated in part by economic need. We end by speculating on the implications of these findings for community-based care for elderly Mexican Americans.

Expectations of Filial Obligation and Their Impact on Preferences for Future Living Arrangements of Middle-Aged and Older Asian Indian Immigrants

“…In terms of preferences for specific living arrangements, consistent with existing studies of older Mexican-American immigrants (Angel et al 1996;Wilmoth 2001), we find that shorter length of residence in the U.S. (which is a proxy measure of level of acculturation) is associated with a preference to move in with children as compared to moving closer to children reflecting a stronger adherence to the traditional pattern of living arrangements (although years in the U.S. and expectations of filial obligation appear uncorrelated). Those preferring to move to a different home were likely to have lower filial obligation expectation.…”

“…Only a minority express a desire to move into a nursing home (Angel et al 1996). Among Chinese and Korean immigrant elders who reported a gap between their expectations of filial obligation and those of their adult children, the elders appeared to be more sensitive to becoming a burden to their adult children.…”

“…The concept of filial obligation refers to the general belief that children ought to support older parents when they are in need (Cicirelli 1990), and researchers have noted that older immigrants from collectivist cultures who reside in developed countries are likely to preserve traditional expectations of filial obligation and kinship care (Ajrouch 2005;Burr & Mutchler 1999;de Valk & Schans 2008). However, studies of older adults' expectations of filial obligation in the U.S., Israel, and the U.K. have found that these expectations vary between ethnic groups (Burr & Mutchler 1999;Katz 2009;Laidlaw et al 2010;Lee et al 1998), and by level of acculturation and education (Angel et al 1996;de Valk & Schans 2008).…”

A Case for Community and Hospital-Based Long-Term Care Facilities in Saudi Arabia

“…5 The studies concluded that the basic problem on long-stay occupancy is essentially a function of two forces, viz, improved economic/health conditions and the increasing pressure on the traditional multigenerational family as a result of rapid urbanization, industrialization, migration, and the increase in the number of women joining the workforce. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] …”

“…5 The studies concluded that the basic problem on long-stay occupancy is essentially a function of two forces, viz, improved economic/health conditions and the increasing pressure on the traditional multigenerational family as a result of rapid urbanization, industrialization, migration, and the increase in the number of women joining the workforce. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The depth of feelings against institutionalization of the elderly by some Saudis is strong. In his doctoral dissertation entitled "The Development of a Model for Sociomedical Facility for Elderly People in Saudi Arabia", Aba Al-Kheil wrote that "it would be religiously condemnable and socially reprehensible for a son to send his parents to a nursing home instead of taking care of them at home."…”