Title
Ageing and Long-Term Care Planning Perceptions of Hispanics in the USA: Evidence from a Case Study in New London, Connecticut
Date Issued
01 December 2017
Resource Type
Journal
Publisher(s)
Springer New York LLC
Abstract
This paper explores the ageing attitudes and long-term care planning behavior of adult Hispanics in New London, Connecticut, a town with 30 thousand inhabitants that is rapidly ageing. We conducted six focus groups and had 37 participants share their ageing perceptions and long-term care needs. Our main findings suggest that informal care arrangements are vulnerable and unsustainable especially since women have historically and disproportionately provided most family eldercare even at their own personal and financial expense. Though male participants expected their female relatives to care for them when they age and need personal assistance, female participants did not necessarily expect the same from their relatives including their daughters. Also, both formal and government long-term care systems lack cultural competence and can be prohibitively costly. Therefore, Hispanics plan for ageing within their circles of family care and their resilience in a context of cultural exclusion and socio-economic disadvantage epitomizes strong intergenerational values. These support networks may help explain why may outlive whites (the “Hispanic paradox”) who, on average, have higher wealth and education levels. Long-term care planning is a complex process that cannot be relayed to families only. Adequate training for family members from other relatives, and from private and government entities to appropriately convey this type of planning is vital to ensure that Hispanic families understand their options.
Start page
488
End page
503
Volume
42
Issue
4
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Economía Temas sociales
Publication version
Version of Record
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84975106402
Source
Ageing International
ISSN of the container
01635158
Source funding
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Connecticut
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus