Who Takes Care of Old Migrant Caregivers? the Challenges of Ageing in Italy

This research explores the complex relationship between migration, aging, and care in Italy, a country facing the concurrent challenges of a rapidly aging population, a weak welfare system, and a growing migrant population. The study investigates these issues through an intersectional lens, focusing on the experiences of aging migrant women working as caregivers and their future plans. By doing so, it addresses a critical gap in the Italian discourse on the migration-care-aging nexus. The research draws on 60 in-depth interviews with caregivers aged 60 and older, residing in Padua, Venice, Bologna, Modena, and Naples. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including Ukraine, Moldova, the Philippines, and sub-Saharan Africa, offering varying perspectives on aging, caregiving, and retirement. The findings indicate that cultural and national contexts shape differing conceptions of aging ,care and retirement, moving beyond Eurocentric paradigms traditionally considered in this discourse. Many migrant caregivers face difficulties in retiring, as it often results in financial insecurity. Consequently, continued work remains a necessity for many, even in later life. The study also highlights the paradoxical situation in which these women, while providing care to elderly Italians, are distanced from their own families and support systems. In this context, diaspora networks emerge as crucial sources of emotional and practical support. This research highlights the need for more attention to the specific needs and challenges faced by aging migrant caregivers in Italy.