Abstract:

As the Canadian population ages, older persons, especially women, who did not parent children during the low birthrate period of 1925-1946 (ie, those born between 1885 & 1926) are likely to experience greater familial & social isolation than did the next older cohort or will the next younger cohorts, who are the parents of the baby boom generation. Given the ethnic diversity of Manitoba's elderly population, it is possible to demonstrate with the Aging in Manitoba database (original N = 8,500 Manitobans from 11 ethnic groups born 1868-1923, interviewed in 1971, 1976, & 1983) that the historic period is more pervasive than differential cultural backgrounds in producing social isolation & potentially less informal care; ie, informal care is more likely to occur when there are more sources for it. Not having adult children as part of one's social network limits potential informal care.