Correlates of Living Alone among Single Elderly Chinese Immigrants in Canada

Lai, Daniel W. L.; Leonenko, Wendy L.

doi:10.2190/ag.65.2.b

Cited by 21 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…As the perpetuators of neglect or abuse are usually those that reside with or are in close proximity to the victims (Kosberg & Nahmiash, 1996), it is understandable for the findings in this study to reveal that living alone is associated with less neglect or abuse. A related study on older Chinese living alone actually further confirms that most older Chinese in Canada who reported living alone received a higher level of support and care than those who reported living with someone else (Lai & Leonenko, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Abuse and Neglect Experienced by Aging Chinese in Canada

Lai

2011

Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect

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The traditional values of Chinese culture promote care and respect toward older adults. While it appears to be ironic to discuss issues of abuse and neglect in the Chinese culture, research findings in Chinese societies do indicate the occurrences of such problems. However, little research on the abuse and neglect of older Chinese in Western societies has been available. This study aims to examine the incidence of abuse and neglect and the associated correlates based on data collected from a random sample of 2,272 aging Chinese 55 years and older in seven Canadian cities. The findings show that 4.5% of the participants reported experiencing at least one incident of maltreatment or neglect within the past year. The most common forms of neglect and abuse experienced by the aging Chinese include being scolded, yelled at, treated impolitely all the time, and ridiculed. Close family members such as spouses and sons are those that most commonly maltreat older Chinese. Those who were more likely to report at least one incident of maltreatment or neglect were older adults living with others; they tended to have no education, more access barriers, more chronic illnesses, less favorable mental health, and a higher level of identification with Chinese cultural values. The findings implied that the face value of respect and care received by older people in Chinese culture should not be taken for granted. Culturally appropriate precautionary steps are needed for prevention and early problem identification.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Abuse and Neglect Experienced by Aging Chinese in Canada

Lai

2011

Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect

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“…The current findings should be understood in the cultural context of Chinese elders in Hong Kong. The literature about the Chinese population (Lai & Leonenko 2007, Cheng et al. 2008) points out that older adults who live alone should not be labelled as the most vulnerable ones.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2008) points out that older adults who live alone should not be labelled as the most vulnerable ones. “Those who live alone are probably the ones who have the resources and related capacity to do so” (Lai & Leonenko 2007, p. 141). Evidence points out that Chinese older adults who have higher levels of social support and lower limitations in IADL have a greater chance of living alone (Lai & Leonenko 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…“Those who live alone are probably the ones who have the resources and related capacity to do so” (Lai & Leonenko 2007, p. 141). Evidence points out that Chinese older adults who have higher levels of social support and lower limitations in IADL have a greater chance of living alone (Lai & Leonenko 2007). Therefore, the general assumption that living alone means social isolation and health disadvantage may not be completely true in the Hong Kong Chinese community.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychosocial risk factors associated with falls among Chinese community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong

Leung

Chi

Lou

et al. 2010

Health &Amp; Social Care in the Community

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This study examined the relationship between psychosocial factors and falls among community-dwelling older adults in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. The study included 1573 adults aged 60 or above who lived at home and who were applying for long-term care services. These participants were part of a large cross-sectional survey carried out between 2003 and 2004 in which they completed the Hong Kong Chinese version of the Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC) assessment. Of those persons who were surveyed, 516 (32.8%, 95% CI 30.5% to 35.2%) had fallen in the previous 90 days. Bivariate analyses showed that five psychosocial factors (depressive symptoms, fear of falling, a decline in social activities, the number of hours of informal care support during weekdays and living alone) were significantly associated with falls (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed living alone (odds ratio (OR) = 0.62; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.86) was the only psychosocial factor significantly associated with falls, after adjusting for the known significant factors related to falls. It was also found that more elders who lived with others had environmental hazards than those who lived alone (71.0% vs 29.0%, chi2 = 4.80, P = 0.028). These findings suggested that living with others may not be as safe as we assume. Interventions to increase awareness of home safety and to seek co-operation with family members in falls prevention are recommended. Fall preventive strategies should be educated to family members who are living with frail older adults. On the other hand, Chinese older adults who live alone often receive support from relatives or friends. Social support seems to be crucial to prevent them from falls and this measure is recommended to be continued in the community.

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“…Older Chinese adults who are married, more educated, born in Canada, and with lower identification with traditional Chinese values and non-western religion, longer residency in Canada, and lower dependency in daily living activities are less likely to live with their children and more likely to live alone (Lai, 2005b;Lai and Leonenko, 2007a). However, older Chinese women living alone reported poorer mental health and greater social support needs than those not living alone .…”

Section: Contextual Challenges Faced By Aging Chinese Immigrants In Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding elder abuse and neglect in aging Chinese immigrants in Canada

Lai

Daoust

2014

The Journal of Adult Protection

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss existing literature and available research findings related to understanding elder abuse and neglect in culturally diverse communities, particularly the Chinese immigrant community in Canada. The conceptual understandings of elder abuse are examined, based upon the socio-cultural context and challenges faced by aging Chinese immigrants. Design/methodology/approach -Previous literature and research publications related to elder abuse and neglect related to Chinese in Canada were reviewed and synthesized. Statistical information and research findings were summarized to illustrate the socio-cultural context that defines elder abuse and neglect experienced by aging Chinese immigrants in Canada. Findings -From a culturally diverse perspective, influence of race, ethnicity, immigrant status, and cultural norms on the recognition, identification, prevention and intervention of elder abuse and neglect are important to consider. A key message for professionals working with the aging population, particularly older immigrants from ethno-cultural minority background, is that understanding the social cultural context in which elder abuse or neglect emerges is critical. For many of the aging Chinese immigrants in Canada, the socio-cultural circumstances that they have experienced, their social environment, and various barriers and challenges further prevent them from being aware of this emerging concern. Cultural norms and practices have played a critical role in their access to preventive and intervention services. Research limitations/implications -Although this paper is not based upon a particularly empirical research study, the research and literature synthesized are both empirically and conceptually based. As indicated in the review of previous research publications on the subjective matter of elder abuse and neglect in aging Chinese immigrants in Canada is limited. Research on various issues related to elder abuse and neglect in ethno-cultural minority communities is also relatively scant. Evaluation research on prevention and intervention programs is desperately needed so as to facilitate the further establishment of best practice prevention and intervention models that are culturally appropriate and effective. While research engagement with minority groups such as the aging Chinese immigrants who do not speak English or are not familiar with the research culture in the western civilization could be challenging, academic researchers and service providers in both the mainstream and ethno-cultural minority communities should further align themselves in practice-research partnership endeavors to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the aging vulnerable individuals could be better maintained. Practical implications -In order to provide culturally competent services, service providers should be aware of cultural differences in attitudes towards elder mistreatment, including the ways in which specific types of abuse (e.g. financial abuse) are defined within ethno-cultu...

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Correlates of Living Alone among Single Elderly Chinese Immigrants in Canada

Cited by 21 publications

References 48 publications

Abuse and Neglect Experienced by Aging Chinese in Canada

Abuse and Neglect Experienced by Aging Chinese in Canada

Psychosocial risk factors associated with falls among Chinese community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong

Understanding elder abuse and neglect in aging Chinese immigrants in Canada

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