Contexts of Migration and Aged Care: Research Case Studies

Abstract

In this chapter, we provide an overview of the six sample groups included in our study, in order to set the scene for the more general comparative discussions in the later chapters. For each of the groups, we review the history of the migration process and describe the relevant general characteristics such as age, gender and marital status. We then give a brief summary of caregiving facilities in the countries where parents reside, together with some comments on the moral and cultural expectations and obligations regarding the care of ageing relatives. We begin with an overview of the three groups of migrants whose home countries are located at the greatest geographic distance from Australia: those who came from Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands. We then discuss the features of the two groups whose home countries are closest to Australia: those from New Zealand and Singapore. Our overview is completed with an account of the unique features of the refugee sample of people from Iraq and Afghanistan.¹