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The different faces of care work: understanding the experiences of the multi-cultural care workforce

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2009

MARTHA DOYLE  and
VIRPI TIMONEN
MARTHA DOYLE*
Affiliation:
Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
VIRPI TIMONEN
Affiliation:
Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
*
Address for correspondence: Martha Doyle, Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre, School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. E-mail: martha.doyle@tcd.ie.
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Abstract

An increased demand for long-term care services coupled with the decreased availability of informal (family) carers in many industrialised countries has led to the employment of growing numbers of ‘migrant care workers’. Little is known about this heterogeneous group or of their experience of employment in long-term care. Providing an important insight into a hitherto little researched and poorly understood topic, this article presents the findings of a qualitative study in Ireland that sought greater understanding of migrant carers' experience of care work and of the intra-group differences among them. The findings suggest that some members of the long-term care workforce are more likely to confront obstacles and discrimination than others. The data indicate that the experiences of European, South Asian and African carers are significantly different and that relationships may exist between carers' region of origin and their experience of care work, employment mobility and long-term plans for remaining in the sector. The findings underscore the significance of acknowledging the unique barriers and obstacles faced by particular populations of care workers. A better understanding of the changing demographic profile and needs of both care recipients and their paid (migrant) care-givers is required to ensure that appropriate policy and practical interventions are developed to support both groups.

Keywords

long-term caremigrant carersdomiciliary careinstitutional carecare workforcediscrimination
Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 29 , Issue 3 , April 2009 , pp. 337 - 350
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Cambridge University Press

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