Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between living arrangements and health-service needs of noninstitutionalized Japanese elderly in the United States. It is found that the living arrangements among Japanese elderly in the United States are characterized by a high proportion of elderly who are living alone. The growing proportion of Japanese women who will have neither a living spouse nor a child in old age has significant implications for health-service needs. Considering their advanced age, personal-care limitation and language barrier, several supportive community health services are needed for this population. The cultural-convergence hypothesis partly explains the reason why a large proportion of Japanese elderly live alone. The expression of filial piety has changed as a result of children's economic and occupational upward mobility. The comfortable lifestyle experienced by the children enables them to let their parents live financially independently. Despite the comfortable and independent lifestyle enjoyed by the Japanese elderly, the mere fact that they are advancing in years subjects them to various chronic diseases. For this reason, the health-service needs and problems of this group must be identified. Provision of health services for this population is highly recommended.
