Health care, cultural expectations and frail elderly Navajo grandmothers

This paper examines the interrelation of generations in the Navajo culture which has always included expectations as to care for the elderly. Many changes have occurred, however, over the past century and these changes bear on elders' position in the culture, and on their care. The study asked: How do cultural expectations influence the giving and receiving of care, and specifically, how are Navajo grandmothers who have been involved in fosterage or adoption of grandchildren cared for in old age and frailty? It concludes that reciprocity is an instrumental principle of interaction between generations. Grandmothers contribute to strong relationships with children and grandchildren in order to receive care when they are old.