Abstract
It is exceeding rare for the Global South to ‘innovate’ in ways adaptable to the Global North, despite the care of senior citizens in the latter falling largely to individuals from the former. The industrial Global North often ‘warehouses’ senior citizens, out of view of the ‘productive’ public - in nursing homes, retirement homes and other various out-of-sight places. Conversely, most senior citizens in the Global South remain long within societies, visible and providing what knowledge, caution and importantly social and cultural vibrancy and information to the larger society. Whereas the care of such seniors is seen as part of society’s responsibility, the Global North approaches the issue differently. Few studies assess the levels of satisfaction of elder care in institutions versus in society. Yet in taking a leaf from Nordic countries’ childcare policy (extended paternity and maternity care), one wonders whether a similar model ought not to be considered, where senior citizens are concerned (even with the heightened concerns with health and well-being, such as possible falls in the home). This research projects that senior citizens are happier remaining in the home than they are being warehoused and only occasionally fulfilling their duties (such as occasional visits by the children and grandchildren). It proposes that notwithstanding the potential neglect and insufficient resources to care for them, a) senior citizens in the Global South are happier in the natural community, and b) that the Global North would likely learn and benefit from ‘un-warehousing’ their senior citizens.
Presenters
Steve MaguAssistant Professor, College of Liberal Arts, Norfolk State University, Virginia, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Warehousing, Global North, Global South, Community, Wisdom, Family, Satisfaction
