ABSTRACT
Introduction This chapter describes how intergenerational relations and other cultural characteristics influence health care for older people through self-care decisions, negotiations, filial/parental obligations and other living arrangements in Australia. After an overview of notable demographic characteristics of the Australian population, the chapter describes intergenerational relations and different cultural family systems and norms, their contributions and challenges for negotiating care and health and the relationship of families and households characteristics. The second part explores the influence of culture on health beliefs and behaviours, including and contrasting self-care decision and negotiations; filial/parental obligations and independence and independent living; and the implications of such arrangements in health negotiations to provide an overview of what is taking place in the Australian context. The last section presents the results from a case study of older Chinese immigrants living in Melbourne, from which we derive recommendations for health-related culturally appropriate policies suitable to intergenerational relations in health and care negotiations.
