“Honour thy father and thy mother”: the meaning of integrating migrant live-in caregivers for elderly in the Haredi society - challenges and barriers to culturally-sensitive interventions

Background and Purpose: This study seeks to examine the complexities of integrating migrant live-in caregivers for elderly in the Haredi society from the lens of elderly’s family members. The main research questions were–what is the meaning of integrating migrant live-in caregivers for elderly in the Haredi society, and what are the implications of these meanings for developing policies and interventions? Materials and Methods: This phenomenological study included 15 adult family members of elderly people from the Haredi society who receive around-the-clock homecare from migrant caregivers. Data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Results: Three themes emerged from the interviews: The motives of family members to become the prime caregivers for their parents; The encounter between the values of the Haredi family and migrant live-in caregivers; The commandment to honour one’s parents, and whether the integration of a migrant caregiver is implementing this commandment. Conclusions and Implications: Results shed light on family members’ attitudes, perceptions and interactions in a phenomenon not yet explored. The importance of these results is highlighted considering the potential conflict between the Haredi society as a faith-based community and migrant live-in caregivers. The results could help develop a culturally-sensitive social policy for faith-based societies.