Transnational Caregiving for My Father: An Opportunity and a Blessing

Abstract

Transnational caregiving can be daunting, yet it often brings out the strengths of the caregiver that he or she may not have been aware of. Thus, it is a wonderful opportunity to know oneself and use those strengths to become better in other areas of life. Transnational caregiving is also a blessing, in that one can still continue to provide care for a loved one by surmounting the barriers of geographical distance. To transform what often is a challenging situation into a blessing, a fresh eye is needed to seek different ways of fulfilling the needs of the loved one by focusing on one thing: How can the caregiver, in his or her individual capacity, make a difference in the quality of life of the family member? This article, while relating personal experience in caring for a parent, traverses these issues.

Caregiving Across International Borders: a Systematic Review of Literature on Transnational Carer-Employees

“…Lee et al’s ( 2015 ) research with highly skilled Asian transnational caregivers working in the USA revealed that immigrants developed caring networks that included, in most cases, siblings, relatives, or family friends who live close to their parents to provide care to ageing parents/grandparents (Lee et al, 2015 ). In some cases, professional healthcare workers were encompassed in these care networks (Ahmad, 2016 ). An interesting point here is that, in most cases, the immigrant family members who live far away still provide practical care by playing an instrumental role in forming these caring networks in Canada, Australia (Brijnath, 2009 , Dhar, 2011a , b , Baldasssar, 2011 , Ahmad, 2016 ), and the United States of America (Amin & Ingman, 2014 ).…”

“…In some cases, professional healthcare workers were encompassed in these care networks (Ahmad, 2016 ). An interesting point here is that, in most cases, the immigrant family members who live far away still provide practical care by playing an instrumental role in forming these caring networks in Canada, Australia (Brijnath, 2009 , Dhar, 2011a , b , Baldasssar, 2011 , Ahmad, 2016 ), and the United States of America (Amin & Ingman, 2014 ). Nevertheless, Amin and Ingman ( 2014 , p. 315) observed that even though the Bangladeshi immigrants living in the USA arranged for transnational care, there was a sense “of loss of control over the caregiving process”, as they were not physically present to provide the hands-on care to their elderly parents in Bangladesh.…”

“…For example, Ahmad ( 2016 , p. 6) considers caregiving as “an opportunity and a blessing”, and some immigrants feel privileged to be able to fulfill their cultural, moral, and religious obligations (Amin & Ingman, 2014 ). However, when TCEs cannot be physically present to take care of their loved ones, they experience guilt, anxiety, and helplessness (Brijnath, 2009 ; Baldassar, 2011 , 2015 , 2016 ; Ahmad, 2016 ; Amin & Ingman, 2014 ). There is a sense of loss at being separated by distance (Baldassar, 2008 ; ).…”

“…Nevertheless, these papers helped us address our research questions and advance our knowledge about TCEs experiences. For example, Ahmad ( 2016 ) discussed her experiences as a transnational caregiver to her father. Amin and Ingman ( 2014 ) focused on the emotional impact of caregiving across international borders.…”

“…(pp. 19-20) Similarly, Ahmad (2016) shares the guilt and anguish of not being able to be physically available to her ill and aging father after her migration to Australia: Caught between being a daughter and a wife and mother, I have struggled for many years with the anguish and guilt that has followed me like a shadow ever since family circumstances forced me to leave my father to the care of my other siblings and formal carers in Bangladesh and join my husband who lived abroad. How I wanted to continue to take care of my father!…”