Important Dates

Abstract

Within care studies, the transnationalization of care has been mainly understood as drawing on (female) migrant care workers and resulting in a ‘care gap’ in the places such workers leave behind. In this talk I will look at the reverse phenomenon: care relocation, in which the ageing body is relocated to places where care is more affordable. This marginal, but contested trend, described as ‘grandmother deportation’ or ‘geriatric colonialism’, can be seen as an extreme example of the marketization of care, and entangling welfare states as entitlements are carried across national borders within Europe. I will report on pilot research I have conducted for a bigger comparative project in Poland about care homes that recruit elderly from Germany. Most of these care homes are located in regions characterized by a long and contested German/Polish history, adding historical complexity to the story. Some serve only German-speaking patients, others serve local, wealthier elderly people as well. They are run by former migrant care workers and by international companies, bringing labour migration and real estate investment into the picture. Inspired by an article of C. Lund and based on exploratory research I invite you to think with me: of what is this phenomenon a case?

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