Аннотация:Abstract Although public and institutional policy states that the presence of family to provide care should not limit older people's access to public services, it does occur in practice. When family members are perceived as being able to contribute to the care of their elderly relatives, the frequency and duration of public sector support diminishes. This reality is particularly important to address with respect to ethnic elders where the perception and expectation of increased family involvement by public sector workers is commonplace. This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study addressing the experience of access among ethnic minority elderly women. It highlights the primary role of families in the discourse of home care and the resulting pressures this places on older ethnic women and their families. Suggestions for improving services are also mentioned.
