“Growing Old is not for the Weak of Heart”: Social isolation and loneliness in Muslim immigrant older adults in Canada
Abstract
The increase in global migration means more immigrants are ageing in host countries with unique experiences and needs. Muslim immigrants in Canada are from diverse ethnocultural communities and experience unmet health and social needs in older age. A community-based participatory research project was conducted in Alberta, Canada, in 2017-2018 to understand the experiences and needs of healthy ageing in this population. Participants were asked about their experiences of growing old in Canada, unmet health and social needs, and community perspectives on healthy ageing. We identified two major themes: (a) intersections of exclusion: ageism, sexism, racism, and; (b) strategies for inclusion: local, national, transnational. Findings highlight both the vulnerability of Muslim immigrant older adults and their capacity for agency. The study findings point to the intersecting influences of exclusionary practices on social isolation and loneliness in immigrant older adults. They also call to adjust developing social policies and programs according to existing exclusionary practices to foster healthy ageing.
Notes
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Community organizations
NA
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
Those who were in Canada for greater than 10 years and less than 10 years.
Key populations
Muslim immigrant seniors
Key findings
Muslim immigrants experience racist, sexist and ageist exclusionary practices in old age; Muslim immigrants utilize local and transnational counter-strategies to mitigate the impact of exclusion in older age; Social isolation and loneliness in immigrant older adults are related to social, emotional and economic exclusion.
Gaps identified
Supportive measures are needed within community settings to create social and recreational programs that are culturally and religiously sensitive to the needs of Muslim seniors
Key recommendations
Supportive measures are needed within community settings to create social and recreational programs that are culturally and religiously sensitive to the needs of Muslim seniors; There is a need for more opportunities for Muslim seniors to contribute to the wider society through employment or volunteerism; Connecting with community in other countries remains important to this population so it is important to support training around technology
Open-access – No