Eldercare in a Filipino Community: Older Women's Attitudes toward Caregiving and Service Use

Abstract

Focus group research on elderly Filipino women living in the United States yields preliminary findings regarding their attitudes toward caregiving and formal service use. Filipino cultural values and the economic challenges attributed to their immigration status were perceived to be the greatest strengths and challenges in caring for the aged. Results identify generally positive attitudes toward formal service use and governmental assistance. Together, these findings shed light on Filipinos' acceptance and use of formal services. Further research to confirm and explore these findings can guide the design of the nation's practice and policy interventions for an increasingly ethnic and cultural diverse older population.

KEYWORDS:

• Filipinas
• utilization of services
• elderly adults
• diversity
• qualitative research

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to the members of the Filipino Cultural Club in Honolulu, Hawai'i, for their participation in the study; Ms. Drusilla Tanaka of the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center, for her assistance; and Dr. Amy Agbayani, Mercedes Alonzo, Dr. Kathryn Braun and Ms. Daisy Asunción, University of Hawai'i, for their perspectives and encouragement.