Envejecer en el país de acogida

Objective

To explore the perceptions of elderly people from diverse cultures regarding the factors relevant to aging, identifying similarities and differences, and describing elements that facilitate or hinder this process, with a focus on the impact of care services.

Method

Qualitative study with 48 participants over 50 years old, residing in the Alt Empordà region, Catalonia. Seven focus groups were conducted, including one exploratory multicultural group and six stratified by origin: native, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, North Africa, and West Africa.

Results

All groups valued health and the desire to remain in their homes or communities for as long as possible. African groups emphasized the importance of free health services, while the Latin American group valued personalized end-of-life care. The native group pointed out deficiencies in home care and residential care services. Western European participants mentioned language barriers and challenges with digitalization as the only means of accessing information, and Eastern European participants highlighted the need for empowerment and social participation. Additionally, the importance of new family models, restrictions on non-Catholic funeral practices, and the need for community integration were mentioned.

Conclusion

While there are differences in perceptions of aging among the different groups, common factors were identified that either facilitate or hinder this process, regardless of whether there is a migration background.