ETHNIC AGING IN CANADA AND THE UNITED-STATES - A COMPARISON OF SOCIAL-POLICY

Most research on ethnic aging in the U.S. has been dominated conceptually and empirically by a narrow focus on the economically disadvantaged minority aged Despite the monopoly of the research agenda by "visible minorities, " the U. S. has witnessed declining participation of these groups in federally funded programs for the aged, and optimal policy solutions remain elusive. Heuristically, Canada provides a useful comparison because although the two countries have striking similarities, Canada has carried out research on ethnic aging that focuses on cultural variation rather than economic disadvantage, and has in its policies, responded to demographic change with significantly different values and social structures for health care, income maintenance and the accommodation of ethnic minorities. Canada's preference for universal health care and income maintenance systems, and a "multicultural mosaic" rather than melting pot philosophy of ethnic relations would suggest that the ethnic aged might fare better under the Canadian system. Nevertheless, the evidence indicates thal Canadian policy may be more ideologically, than practically distinct from the U.S. equivalent.