In a research project elderly migrants were interviewed about the size and composition of their social networks. First, the results indicate variations of network size by age, family status and gender: older, single and female participants have smaller networks than younger, married and male participants. Second, elderly migrants often have large sociability networks, but with regard to instrumental and emotional support the interviewed elderly migrants only can dispose of a few, mainly close family network members. Finally, a strong orientation of the elderly migrants to persons of their own ethnic group could be observed: with regard to all types of social support a distinct superiority of intraethnic relationships was found. Considering the predicted overburdening and reduction of the ethnic family-oriented support networks of the elderly migrants, the socio-political system must provide appropriate measures.

Social support Social networks Elderly migrants informal help ethnic and family aid systems

Short Survey Germany psychological aspect Europe human middle aged aging Ethnic Groups ethnic group controlled study Aged social support social care ethnology Humans family male Acculturation female cultural factor Article major clinical study adult Social Environment migration Emigration and Immigration