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Immigrants and Long-distance Elder Care: An Exploratory Study

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Abstract

In this paper we explored the rationales and the processes among five Ghanaian immigrants residing in two cities in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA for providing care and support to their older adult relatives in Ghana. Although some of our participants indicated that elder care duties could sometimes be overwhelming, all expressed their willingness and desire to continue to provide care for their older adult relatives. Provision of elder care was viewed as a way to show family solidarity, and a means to demonstrate respect and appreciation to one’s older adult relatives and others who had provided support in the past. Our findings suggest older adults in Ghana can still rely on their family members who have migrated for care and support.

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Acknowledgement

The authors thank Dr. F. Ellen Netting of Virginia Commonwealth University for her generous comments and suggestions.

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  1. School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1001 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA, 23284-2027, USA

    Yale Kodwo-Nyameazea & Peter V. Nguyen

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  1. Yale Kodwo-Nyameazea
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  2. Peter V. Nguyen
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Correspondence to Yale Kodwo-Nyameazea.

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Kodwo-Nyameazea, Y., Nguyen, P.V. Immigrants and Long-distance Elder Care: An Exploratory Study. Ageing Int. 32, 279–297 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-008-9013-4

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