Influential Factors of Entering a Nursing Home and Family Intergenerational Relationships in Shanghai

Abstract

The Shanghai household registered population is highly aged. The elderly occupy a large proportion and continues to increase because of the aging of the generations of one-child families. This study examines the influential factors in the elder care decision-making process of those households with registered elderly people, focusing on changing notions of elder care and changing parent–child relationships. In-depth interviews were conducted with both nursing home residents and community dwelling elderly individuals in downtown Shanghai. Our analysis of the interviews identified three main issues regarding elder care. First, the traditional Filial Piety is changing in response to modern society. Second, family members’ inability to provide elder care, the burdens of maintaining an independent household, and nursing home features and conditions are the main factors influencing the decision to enter a nursing home. Third, Filial Piety continues to be expressed through close residential distances between parents and children and a high visit frequency of children’s visits to elderly parents.