Attitudes towards Home Based Support Service (HBSS) and Residential Aged Care (RAC)

Asian families

There may be a reluctance to place parents in long-term care facilities out of respect and filial piety. Daughters and daughters-in-law bear the burden of care (Wong, 2013). Often decisions regarding placement occur at a stage when caring for an older person becomes extremely stressful.

South Asian families

For many older adults, the activities of social workers and home care health providers are unfamiliar and may not be welcome or acceptable. Older people generally will seek help from family and friends. Some families are unlikely to place an older adult in residential aged care except as a last resort.

Middle Eastern families

It is expected that adult children assume responsibility for the care of ageing parents and care for them at home. Women are customarily designated as the primary caregivers. This can result in a high degree of burden when caregivers feel the traditional pressure of providing all elder care personally within the home setting.