If I am not for myself, who is for me? The experiences of older migrant home care recipients during their hospitalization

Objective: Hospitalization is a major risk for older adults; therefore, it is crucial to provide the appropriate treatment during hospitalization. This study examined hospitalized older adults’ perceptions regarding three groups of treatment providers: nursing staff, family members, migrant home care workers. Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 hospitalized older adults. Data were gathered by in-depth interviews. Content analysis included open coding, axial coding and integration of the main findings using constant comparisons. Results: Three themes emerged: (1) ‘What is my worth?’ This theme was focused on the participants’ perceptions of themselves as helpless and dependent on others. (2) ‘What would I do without them?’ This theme referred to the perception of the migrant home care workers and nursing staff as essential. It meant immense gratitude, but also a sense of dependency on paid caregivers. (3) ‘They have their own busy life.’ This theme concerned participants’ low treatment expectations from their family members due to their perception of their family members as having multiple obligations. Conclusion: Hospitalized older adults prefer to turn to paid caregivers rather than to their families. Findings are discussed in light of the tension between formal and informal care in countries that are transitioning from traditional family values to modern values, placing the care of older adults by paid caregivers.