Perhaps it was COVID-19, or maybe the 2020 UN declaration of The Decade of Healthy Aging, but the world is awakening to the challenges faced by aging immigrants. As immigrants age and need additional services, it’s clear that disparities exist between native-born and foreign-born Canadians. Culturally appropriate, equitable opportunities for socialization, healthcare, housing, disability services are fewer and more difficult to access for immigrants aging in Canada. But there are resources if you know how to find them.
B.C. has the second highest immigrant population of all Canadian provinces and territories, with Metro Vancouver’s population comprising more than 40 percent of immigrants. Nearly a quarter are over age 65. According to the Lived Experiences, Vancouver Research Team, barriers to integration include:
- Limited or no English language skills
- Lifestyle changes
- Financial
- Racism and discrimination
- Accessible and appropriate housing
Challenges for Older Immigrants in Canada
The above barriers may result in negative outcomes for aging immigrants in our society. Before we look at resources, let’s look at the challenges.
1. Loneliness
Loneliness is epidemic among Canadian seniors and an important determinant of health. In 2019/2020, Statistics Canada recognized that few studies had been done to measure loneliness among Canadians that looked at the differences based on gender and immigration status. The resulting study, Immigrant status and loneliness among older Canadians, revealed that immigrants in Canada are lonelier than their Canadian-born peers.
It found that 1.1 million adults (19 percent) experienced loneliness, significantly among more women (23%) than men (14.6%). Marital status made a difference, too. Married people were far less lonely than single or widowed people where up to 35% of men and women said they felt alone, isolated and left out.
2. Disabilities and Healthcare
Older immigrants face fragmented disability services. Poor language skills, shame, transportation and economic hardship may present barriers to access. Older adults with disabilities may also not understand how to navigate services or what to ask for.
Healthcare in general may also be difficult to access for the same reasons. Particularly for older adults with multiple conditions (multimorbidity), it may be difficult to leave home or ask for help. For those without sufficient English language skills, it may be impossible to communicate symptoms or illness. Women in particular are uncomfortable or culturally forbidden to reveal their bodies, so finding an appropriate practitioner is another hurdle to overcome.
3. Appropriate Housing
Housing is a hot topic in Canada, and B.C. is a hot market. It is difficult enough to rent appropriate accommodation, but when faced with racism, inadequate income, few or no landlord references, housing security is a significant challenge. Perceived beliefs about immigrant families and customs prevent many from securing appropriate housing, putting them at high risk for homelessness.
Multigenerational housing is common in some cultures with elders in these households feeling more engaged and less lonely. Statistics Canada reports an 11 percent increase in multigenerational households since 2001. In 2016, 8.9 percent of Canadian households had at least two generations living under one roof—ranging from young couples and their children to elderly parents and adult children. With multigenerational living, seniors can help with household and childcare needs while being with family members for companionship and emotional support. They also benefit from increased mobility and activity.
4. Transportation
Transportation challenges are at the intersection of financial and language barriers, appropriate housing and physical abilities. Further, reports of racism on B.C. transportation systems are frequent, yet older immigrants rely heavily on public transport, as do many Canadian seniors.
Supporting Aging Immigrants for a Better Quality of Life
The Lived Experienced Team reported that partnerships between federal, provincial and local governments with local immigrant serving organizations offer excellent programs to support and integrate immigrants. Many have programs dedicated to seniors and often have staff who speak a wide range of first languages. Many of our CRNs are partnered with these organizations and can easily connect folks in their own communities.
For example, in Terrace, the Skeena Diversity Project offers a variety of programs to help immigrants with English language skills and socializing through clubs, events and cultural or sports activities. The Vernon & District Immigrant Services Society adds employment services to that list while the Chinese CRN in Vancouver brings together Mandarin and Cantonese service providers for immigrants on the Lower Mainland.
Policies and Social Programming for Older Immigrants
Programs may be limited in smaller communities, which is why the Lived Experience Team developed a list of recommendations for service providers to incorporate multicultural voices and community needs into their practices:
- Listen to and incorporate the voices of persons with lived experiences (e.g., active consultation with service users and providers) into solution planning
- Encourage cultural understanding through training and education to service providers/frontline staff
- Promote more research to provide informed empirical evidence of population needs/service gaps
- Increase access to translation services across sectors
- Support innovative Aging in Place strategies/infrastructure to help older immigrants live happily and healthily in the community
- Support integrated planning processes that promote cross sector and intergovernmental collaboration
- Build upon and strengthen pre-existing community resources to connect people more sustainably
The report also makes specific recommendations for housing, disability and transportation challenges.
Inclusion for All Aging Canadians
Inclusion refers to “the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability),” says the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Inclusion and diversity are attributes that make a society strong, ensuring that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect. Inclusion provides opportunities for persons who have been marginalized to contribute and strengthen societies with their skills and knowledge. The collection wisdom of aging immigrants will make Canada stronger.
March 21 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, celebrated annually since 1960. How can you use this day to improve services for the aging immigrant population in your community?
Explore our website to learn more about BC CRN or connect with your local CRN for more information or resources.
