The Roles of ‘Grandparents’ in the Foster Grandparent Program: Perspectives of Chinese Immigrant Older Adults in the United States

ABSTRACT

Volunteering is a major category within productive aging activities. This qualitative study explored immigrant Chinese older adults’ own understanding of their roles as volunteers in a Foster Grandparent Program. Inductive thematic analysis was employed and themes/codes were identified until consensus was reached. Participants reported several volunteer tasks including: assisting teachers, accompanying children, helping children, playing with children, communicating with children, protecting children, building a bridge between teacher and student, and providing love and comfort for children. Four roles emerged: assistant, companion, protector, and connector. Study findings offer insight to inform future research and practice related to volunteering and older immigrants.

KEYWORDS:

• Role recognition
• foster grandparent program
• old Chinese immigrants
• volunteer

Declaration of interest

The authors have no financial interest or benefit conflict that has arisen from the direct applications of this study.