Role of culture and service barriers in the aging South Asians

Despite the recent increase in the South Asian population in Canada, there is shortage of research on this population, particularly regarding aging adults. This study examines the relationships between culture and health services barriers faced by aging South Asian- Canadians in Calgary. Data were collected through a telephone survey with a random sample of 220 aging South Asians aged 55 years and older. Stepwise regression analysis was used to examine the effects of socio- demographic and culture-related factors on health service barriers reported by the aging South Asians. The findings indicate that being less financially adequate, being affiliated with Hinduism, Islam, and other religions, having a stronger level of agreement with South Asian health beliefs, having a lower level of social sup- port, and having a stronger South Asian ethnic identity are related to reporting more service barriers. The find- ings speak to the importance of developing strategies for promoting financial adequacy and strengthening social support for the aging South Asians, so that they can have the resources to overcome the service barriers.