Background: Population ageing is often considered through increasing care needs and service demands. However, many older adults continue to contribute substantially to family and community life through unpaid caregiving. In multicultural societies such as Australia, where a significant population is overseas-born, recognising the caregiving roles of older migrants is essential. Despite this, limited evidence exists on the caregiving contributions of older migrant populations.
Objective: This study examined the caregiving roles of older Indian and Nepalese migrants and explored their relationship with healthy ageing.
Methods: This paper presents findings from the quantitative phase of an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 170 older Indian and Nepalese migrants. Measures included caregiving frequency, caregiver burden, social support, and healthy ageing. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple and hierarchical regression models.
Results: Caregiving was common, with approximately 70% reporting moderate to high caregiving frequency. Caregiving frequency varied significantly by sociodemographic factors. Approximately 18% of the participants reported moderate to severe caregiver burden. Caregiving frequency, caregiver burden, and social support were initially associated with healthy ageing in multiple linear regression, F (3,166) = 7.30, p < 0.001. However, in hierarchical regression that these factors did not independently predict healthy ageing after controlling for socio-demographic and health-related variables. Conclusion: Older migrants play an important role in family wellbeing through caregiving. The findings suggest the need to recognise their contributions while addressing the broader structural and health determinants that shape healthy ageing in culturally diverse populations.

Authors:
Anjana Lamichhane, Western Sydney University, Australia
Olayide Ogunsiji, Western Sydney University, Australia
Jed Montayre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Rita Chang, Western Sydney University, Australia
Shyama Ratnayake, Western Sydney University, Australia

About the Presenter(s)
Anjana Lamichhane is a PhD student in School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Her research interests include migrants and ageing, with her PhD topic focusing on "The caregiving experiences of older South Asian migrants to their families and its impact on their healthy ageing."

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

Bookmark