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Exploring Aging-in-Place Among Chinese and Korean Seniors in British Columbia, Canada

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Abstract

British Columbia, Canada, has emerged as a popular settlement area for Chinese and Korean immigrants. Responding to the demographic trend, the goal of this study was to examine current characteristics of housing and neighborhoods and utilization of local amenities of Chinese and Korean seniors in BC in exploring the possibility of aging-in-place in their home and community. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews for 99 participants (50 for Chinese and 49 for Koreans). To compare group differences between Chinese and Koreans, chi-square and t tests were conducted. Results indicated that Chinese and Korean seniors stayed at current housing about 10 years and did not plan to move out in the next 3 years. However, Chinese seniors were more likely to live with their adult children and church was an important resource for Korean seniors. Local amenities created more resources and social support for both Chinese and Korean seniors, but Chinese seniors tended to actually use various local amenities more than Korean seniors. To Korean seniors, ethnic Korean church was an important source of community links. The role of housing should be discussed from a bigger context to enable the participants to remain in their familiar environment.

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Notes

  1. The Greater Vancouver Regional District is the metropolitan area surrounding and including the city of Vancouver, BC, Canada. This include municipalities such as Anmore, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Lions Bay, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and White Rock.

  2. C. Crawford is Vice President of BC Housing, Burnaby, BC, Canada.

  3. T. Tam is Director of Market Research and Consulting at the United Chinese Cultural Enrichment Services Society (SUCCESS), Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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Acknowledgement

This project was funded by the British Columbia Network for Aging Research Pilot Study Grants. The author also thanks the United Chinese Cultural Enrichment Services Society and Linda Cummings for research assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Simon Fraser University Gerontology Research Centre, 515 W Hastings Street, Suite 2800, Vancouver, BC, V6B5K3, Canada

    Eunju Hwang

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  1. Eunju Hwang
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Correspondence to Eunju Hwang.

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Hwang, E. Exploring Aging-in-Place Among Chinese and Korean Seniors in British Columbia, Canada. Ageing Int. 32, 205–218 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-008-9014-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-008-9014-3

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