Understanding the medical determinants and health service needs of older
                        people who experience loneliness in Sydney, Australia

Blunden, Lou-Anne; Lloyd, Jane; Barr, Margo; Welberry, Heidi; Comino, Elizabeth; Roxas-Harris, Ben; Jackson, Tony; Donnelly, Debra; Harris, Elizabeth; Harris, Mark

doi:10.5334/ijic.s3160

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Before COVID-19, most older adults lived alone, suffered from decreased mobility, and were at risk of social isolation ( Blunden et al, 2019 ). When combined with COVID-19 restrictions, such barriers to social isolation are exacerbated as many older adults cannot walk for an hour a day, so are reliant on compassionate care visits from others for human contact.…”

Section: Australia’s Aging Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Scoping Review of Aging Experiences Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People in Australia: Toward Better Aging Policy and Cultural Well-Being for Migrant and Refugee Adults

et al. 2021

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Background and Objectives Australia’s population is growing, ageing, and becoming more ethnically diverse, resulting in barriers and challenges around social inclusion for non-English speaking migrants and refugees. This scoping review investigates the experiences of ageing within Australia among older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrant and refugee backgrounds to identify barriers to social integration. Research Design and Methods A scoping review of English-language literature and grey literature on the experiences of ageing among CALD migrant and refugees living in Australia was conducted from January 2000 to January 2021, according to Arksey and O’Malley’s review process. A total of 34 studies were identified for analysis. Results Three primary themes were identified: (i) socio-cultural similarities in settlement experiences; (ii) engagement with technology for social connection; and (iii) engagement with family and community networks. Discussion and Implications Ageing, language, socio-cultural and technology contexts shape attitudes to belonging, as well as access to sociomedical services. We argue a cultural well-being framework may assist in developing policy for improved social integration of older CALD adults. As the focus is on social and cultural experiences, all studies with a primary focus on medical and other chronic conditions were excluded. Future studies could include health related articles to present a more comprehensive approach regarding older CALD adult needs. Follow-up research could focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experiences of older adults in Australia, in particular those of CALD backgrounds.

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Section: Australia’s Aging Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Scoping Review of Aging Experiences Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People in Australia: Toward Better Aging Policy and Cultural Well-Being for Migrant and Refugee Adults

et al. 2021

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“…According to recent literature findings, older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and refugee backgrounds face a range of issues when interacting with the Australian social welfare and health systems. Common barriers that affect perceptions and overall well-being for elderly culturally and linguistically diverse communities include limited understanding of the English language, lack of social interaction and/or engagement and unfamiliarity or misuse of available digital services and technology tools (Atwell, et al , 2007; Blunden et al , 2019; Caidi, et al , 2020; Du and Xu, 2020; ECCV, 2012; FECCA, 2015; Kobayashi et al , 2009; Miyawaki, 2015; Rao, et al , 2006; Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, 2019b). These are major contributors to loneliness, social isolation, mental health issues and incidence of suicide (Blunden et al , 2019; Kobayashi et al , 2009; Miyawaki, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After this incident, the NSW government ordered all aged care residents to be isolated in their facilities or homes for several weeks without having any (at least in the beginning) or much physical interaction with relatives and friends (Sydney Morning Herald, 2020). This controversial measure proved to be effective at protecting the elderly in aged care from COVID-19, but it came with a price – many older adults faced social isolation and loneliness, conditions that although pre-existing (Blunden et al , 2019), were intensified due to the restrictions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and “ageing well” for the older migrants and refugees in rural Australia: the case of Bhutanese elders in Albury, New South Wales

Georgeou

Schismenos

Wali

et al. 2022

QAOA

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to highlight the challenges and opportunities for the well-being of older migrants and refugees in rural Australia by learning from the example of the Bhutanese community in Albury, New South Wales. Design/methodology/approach This viewpoint focusses on health and aged care barriers that affect the well-being of older migrants and refugees in Australia. It also demonstrates how these can be intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings Engagement though agriculture, and a sense of “belonging” strengthen the cultural well-being of the Bhutanese older adults in Albury. However, major issues remain as health-related resources and information are lacking in rural Australia. How this group’s meaningful activities in Albury enabled collaborations to be built is shown in this working example and can provide lessons for other communities that experience similar problems of disconnection as they get older. Research limitations/implications The information regarding the Bhutanese older adults in Albury is primarily based on the authors’ personal communication with the General Secretary of the Bhutanese Australian Community Support Group in Albury Wodonga Inc. Originality/value Australia’s older population is growing rapidly, and older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and refugee backgrounds face numerous barriers such as limited linguistic, health and digital literacy. The authors describe common health and aged care issues that affect the well-being of older adults in rural Australia. They particularly emphasize those that occurred or intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This novel information is now especially relevant to the health and aged care sectors in changing and diverse communities not only in Australia but also overseas.

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Understanding the medical determinants and health service needs of older people who experience loneliness in Sydney, Australia

Abstract: Understanding the medical determinants and health service needs of older people who experience loneliness in Sydney, Australia.

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

A Scoping Review of Aging Experiences Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People in Australia: Toward Better Aging Policy and Cultural Well-Being for Migrant and Refugee Adults

A Scoping Review of Aging Experiences Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People in Australia: Toward Better Aging Policy and Cultural Well-Being for Migrant and Refugee Adults

COVID-19 and “ageing well” for the older migrants and refugees in rural Australia: the case of Bhutanese elders in Albury, New South Wales

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