Living Arrangements, Health Conditions, and Socio-economic Status of Older Korean Immigrants in the United States

• In Event: 1483 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 03. Aging, Health, and Sexuality Among Immigrants

Abstract

The Korean immigrant population aged 65 and over has continued to grow rapidly over the last two decades. Due to an increase in the aging Korean immigrant population, along with extended life expectancy, there has been a growing interest in successful aging in Korean immigrant community. Starting with the demographic trend of the aging Korean immigrant population and the profile of older Korean immigrants, this paper focuses on their living arrangements, health conditions, and socioeconomic status using data from the American Community Survey. Older Korean immigrants are compared with older White natives to detect the unique features, and gender differences are highlighted. The ACS data show that 62% of older Korean immigrants are married and living with their spouse. Among the non-married, 31% live in an extended-family household (e.g., their own child’s family). Yet, almost half of non-married older Korean immigrants live alone. More than a quarter of older Korean immigrants have experienced one or more health problems with the most common difficulties being ambulatory (e.g., walking and climbing stairs) and independent living difficulties. These health problems are more prevalent among the non-married and those living alone. About 18 percent of the older Korean immigrants participate in the labor market, and 40 percent of them are self-employed. Besides wages/salaries and business income, older Korean immigrants have various income sources such as Social Security, investment, and pension. Nonetheless, one out of five are living in poverty. This paper concludes with a discussion of the wide-ranging implications of the aging Korean immigrant population for families, businesses, and communities.

Author

• Chigon Kim, Wright State University