Abstract
Globalization and immigration have increased awareness about transnational relationships among younger families. Less attention has been given to immigrant adult children caring for their aging parents living longer and often needing care in their home country. This study reviewed the empirical evidence on transnational caregiving to aging parents and summarized eight emergent themes that have implications for elder care globally. The databases of Academic Search Complete, PubMed, and SocINDEX were searched using the terms transnational caregiving and caregivers. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, empirical articles, published in English, two different countries, and caregiving dyads of immigrant adult child in host country and aging parent in home country. From 144 hits, 23 articles were identified. All review articles were published since 2000, reflecting the relatively recent attention given to transnational caregiving. Immigrant adult children aim to care for their aging parents across national boundaries, despite high economic and emotional costs. Financial remittance to home countries partially reduces immigrant adult children’s guilt while cultural remittance reinforces ethnic identity and continued commitment to the kin left behind. Although daughters/daughters-in-law still provide more hands-on care, men are increasingly involved with care via technology. The concept of work-family integration is more appropriate than work-life balance, since immigrant children visit for extended periods, involving extensive planning, financial sacrifice and time away from jobs. These visits fulfill their filial responsibility and confirm their ethnic identity. Findings have implications for policies related to family leave to support extended visits home and for accessibility to technology to promote healthy aging.
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