Exploring the Role of Family and Older People's Access to Food in Different Cultures: Will the Children be There to Help?

Abstract

Increased longevity has contributed to the extensive change in family structure seen in the past 25 years around the world and in Australia. This article draws on the concepts of intergenerational exchange to further understand and explore older people's experiences of accessing nutritious food in a country where cultural diversity is a hallmark of the population. Forty-four people took part in six focus groups. These data have been thematically analyzed to investigate the key challenges and barriers that older people from different cultural backgrounds face in accessing nutritious food. The role of family and supportive intergenerational networks emerges as particularly significant within the current climate of rapid social and economic change. Participants appear ambivalent about receiving assistance from their adult children, and question the capacity of their children to assist given the increasing pressures and responsibilities that their adult children face. We conclude by proposing that appropriate and effective local government services that build on the strengths of existing family networks may continue to ensure that older people have access to nutritious food they want and need.

Keywords:

• food security
• older people
• cultural diversity
• ethnicity
• adult children

The research team would like to acknowledge VicHealth for funding this study through the Food for All Program. The team would also like to note the significant contribution of Melton Shire local government staff with regard to recruitment and guidance. Above all, thanks to the participants and bilingual facilitators.