INFORMAL EXCHANGES WITH NONKIN AMONG RETIRED SUN-BELT MIGRANTS - A CASE-STUDY OF A FINNISH AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Objectives. This study examined informal exchanges with non-kin among retired Sunbelt migrants, with special emphasis on the impact of ethni c enclaves in generating exchanges of instrumental assistance and emot ional support among elderly European Americans. Methods. Data were col lected through interviews with four samples of elders: Finnish America ns who migrated to an ethnic retirement community in Florida; European Americans who migrated to the same community but are not part of an e thnic enclave; Finnish Americans living in an age-integrated setting i n Minnesota; and retired European Americans living in the same Minneso ta community. Results. Migrants were less likely than elders aging-in- place to report informal exchanges with non-kin. Finnish American migr ants were less likely than other European American migrants to provide instrumental assistance to nonkin but were more likely to anticipate relying on informal long-term care support, regardless of proximity to kin. There were no differences in the two migrant samples in exchange s of emotional support. Discussion. Evidence regarding substitution of non-kin for geographically distant kin is mixed. Results are consiste nt with a strategy of ''banking'' support, at the community level amon g the Finnish American migrants and at the network level among other E uropean American migrants.