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Presentation Type

Open Access Poster Presentation

Abstract

This study examines how cultural perceptions of aging influence the structure and delivery of care for older adults in Japan and the United States. By comparing cultural attitudes, this study identifies implications for senior care in each country. While cross-cultural studies comparing senior care systems exist, many lack the cultural context that shapes expectations about aging and care. This work focuses on this distinction. Results revealed 2 major themes: (1) Perception of burden with a subtheme of fear of burdening others, and (2) Perception of successful aging with a subtheme of aging as contentment vs. engagement. U.S. participants reflected an individualistic fear of dependency; in contrast, Japanese participants displayed a more relational concern about their dependency burdening others. Both cultures valued autonomy as a standard of successful aging, but differing cultural perceptions of successful aging were present. U.S. participants emphasized contentment and settling down, whereas Japanese participants emphasized actively maintaining health and social connections. These findings indicate that cultural beliefs about burden and autonomy influence family expectations, how/when older adults seek care, and how dependency is experienced.

Start Date

14-4-2026 2:00 PM

End Date

14-4-2026 2:50 PM

Faculty Advisor

Melinda Heinz

Department

Department of Nursing and Public Health

Student Type

Undergraduate Student

File Format

application/pdf

File Size

461 KB

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Apr 14th, 2:00 PM Apr 14th, 2:50 PM

Aging Across Cultures: How Cultural Attitudes Shape Senior Care In Japan And The United States

This study examines how cultural perceptions of aging influence the structure and delivery of care for older adults in Japan and the United States. By comparing cultural attitudes, this study identifies implications for senior care in each country. While cross-cultural studies comparing senior care systems exist, many lack the cultural context that shapes expectations about aging and care. This work focuses on this distinction. Results revealed 2 major themes: (1) Perception of burden with a subtheme of fear of burdening others, and (2) Perception of successful aging with a subtheme of aging as contentment vs. engagement. U.S. participants reflected an individualistic fear of dependency; in contrast, Japanese participants displayed a more relational concern about their dependency burdening others. Both cultures valued autonomy as a standard of successful aging, but differing cultural perceptions of successful aging were present. U.S. participants emphasized contentment and settling down, whereas Japanese participants emphasized actively maintaining health and social connections. These findings indicate that cultural beliefs about burden and autonomy influence family expectations, how/when older adults seek care, and how dependency is experienced.