# Family Members’ Experiences of Long-Term Home Care for Older Adults Provided by Live-In Migrant Caregivers: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

## TL;DR

This study explores how families of older adults experience long-term home care provided by migrant caregivers, highlighting both benefits and challenges.

## Contribution

The study provides a meta-synthesis of family members' experiences with migrant caregivers in long-term home care for older adults.

## Key findings

- Hiring migrant caregivers eases family burden but causes additional stress.
- Four key themes emerged, including the difficulty of hiring and integrating caregivers.
- Families call for better support, training, and cultural understanding to improve care.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to synthesise qualitative evidence from family members’ experiences of long-term home care for older adults provided by live-in migrant caregivers. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review with meta-synthesis using four online databases. The search included articles published between January 2016 and December 2025 on the CINAHL, PubMed, SCOPUS and WOS databases. Thematic synthesis of qualitative data was conducted. Results: Eleven papers from six different countries fulfilled the criteria and were included in the thematic synthesis. Four main themes were identified: 1. Not an easy decision. 2. A stranger at the heart of family life. 3. Two worlds that meet and need each other. 4. Improving the integration of migrant caregivers into family life. Hiring migrant caregivers to provide long-term home care for older adults can ease the burden on family caregivers, but it is an additional source of stress and worry. Conclusions: The family members of older adults call for greater financial and institutional support, as well as the involvement of social and health services in the training and education of families and migrant caregivers. Negotiation skills and the ability to reach consensus between older adults (OAs), family members and resident migrant caregivers are key to improving cohabitation and care for OAs. The primary goal is the well-being of the OAs, which involves overcoming cultural prejudices, learning together in response to the new situation, improving caregivers’ training, and ensuring continuity of care.