Patterns of home care and its predictors among migrant older adults in Australia and France

The ageing population is a global phenomenon. In Australia, one in six, and in France, one in four, are over 65 years old. This has led to an increasing need to understand the care dynamics among older adults. This article investigates a cross-national comparison of the prevalence of incapacity in conducting daily activities, formal and informal care patterns, and the associations between these patterns and their predictors among older adults in both countries. We focus on comparing the first generation of migrants with the nonmigrant population. According to the latest Australian Census in 2021, approximately 30% of the Australian population was born overseas, whereas the latest data indicate that 13% were born overseas in France. In comparison, according to the new census, the proportion was relatively greater for the older population in Australia (41% for those aged 65+) than France (13.5%) (CARE 2015). In a period of increased migration flows, particularly in Europe, including France, discussing the patterns of care among migrants is relevant and timely. Moreover, Carlsson (2023) argued that evidence has shown that first-generation elderly migrants experience inequities in health and the use of care services. France might also differ from Australia, where the government formally focuses much on the importance of public welfare in family life through its politique de la famille (Litwin & Attias-Donful, 2009). Furthermore, in terms of home care arrangements, France also provides home and care support assistance directly to older adults through Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL) for housing costs, Allocation Personnalisée d'Autonomie (APA) for those who need help with daily activities and Services à la Personne (personal services) for cleaning and assistance with daily tasks. For older adults in Australia, assistance has been provided through Home Care and Support Services (Home Care Packages and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Carer Payment and Carer Allowance). However, payments are made to service providers or carers. While Australia is not geographically located in Europe, its cultural, social and political structures are close to those of some European countries. Like France, Australia is also an OECD country. These reasons provide a valid background for comparing the two countries. Thus, three research questions are investigated in this paper: 1) Who cares for migrant older people, and what are their patterns of care: informal, formal and mixed? 2) What factors are associated with those migrants with functional health limitations receiving various home care services? 3) What are the similarities and differences between France and Australia?