Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor

Mansour, K., & Mensah, P. (2025). Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor. Journal of Migration and Displacement. https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43

Mansour, Khaled, and Peter Mensah. “Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor.” Journal of Migration and Displacement, 2025, https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43.

Mansour, Khaled and Peter Mensah. 2025. “Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor.” Journal of Migration and Displacement. https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43.

Mansour, Khaled and Peter Mensah. “Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor.” Journal of Migration and Displacement (2025). https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43.

Mansour, K. and Mensah, P. (2025) ‘Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor’, Journal of Migration and Displacement. Available at: https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43 (Accessed: 4 November 2026).

K. Mansour and P. Mensah, “Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor,” Journal of Migration and Displacement, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43

Mansour K, Mensah P. Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor. Journal of Migration and Displacement [Internet]. 2025 Oct 23 [cited 2026 Nov 4]. Available from: https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43

@article{mansour2025remitting,
  author = {Mansour, Khaled and Mensah, Peter},
  title = {{Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor}},
  journal = {Journal of Migration and Displacement},
  year = {2025},
  month = {oct},
  publisher = {Dhaka International University},
  url = {https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43},
  keywords = {transnational care, Bangladeshi diaspora, video calls, elder support, Italy},
  abstract = {Transnational elder care involves coordinating attention and practical help as well as sending money. This study examines care arrangements linking Bangladeshi migrants in Italy with older relatives in Bangladesh. Researchers conducted paired interviews with members of 31 families, collected four-week communication diaries, and followed twelve families through a second interview round after six months. Analysis traced how video calls, remittances, and assistance from nearby relatives were combined during routine care and health-related disruptions. Frequent calls helped migrants monitor changes in wellbeing but sometimes generated disagreements over how local caregivers should organise daily tasks. Money transfers were most effective when families had an agreed person responsible for purchasing medicines and arranging appointments. Older relatives selectively shared difficulties to avoid causing anxiety abroad. The findings show that digital contact can redistribute authority without replacing local care work. Participating families had reliable internet access and may differ from less connected households. Transnational support initiatives should recognise local caregivers' responsibilities and older people's preferences alongside the contributions of relatives living overseas.}
}

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Mansour, Khaled
AU  - Mensah, Peter
TI  - Remitting Care: Video Calls and Elder Support across the Bangladesh–Italy Corridor
JO  - Journal of Migration and Displacement
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/10/23
PB  - Dhaka International University
UR  - https://jmddiu.org/articles/remitting-care-video-calls-and-elder-support-across-the-bangladesh-italy-corrido-d86bef43
KW  - transnational care
KW  - Bangladeshi diaspora
KW  - video calls
KW  - elder support
KW  - Italy
AB  - Transnational elder care involves coordinating attention and practical help as well as sending money. This study examines care arrangements linking Bangladeshi migrants in Italy with older relatives in Bangladesh. Researchers conducted paired interviews with members of 31 families, collected four-week communication diaries, and followed twelve families through a second interview round after six months. Analysis traced how video calls, remittances, and assistance from nearby relatives were combined during routine care and health-related disruptions. Frequent calls helped migrants monitor changes in wellbeing but sometimes generated disagreements over how local caregivers should organise daily tasks. Money transfers were most effective when families had an agreed person responsible for purchasing medicines and arranging appointments. Older relatives selectively shared difficulties to avoid causing anxiety abroad. The findings show that digital contact can redistribute authority without replacing local care work. Participating families had reliable internet access and may differ from less connected households. Transnational support initiatives should recognise local caregivers' responsibilities and older people's preferences alongside the contributions of relatives living overseas.
ER  -