Older refugees in the UK. A literature review and interviews with refugees

Methodology

This working paper combines a literature review and analysis of interviews with 20 older refugees undertaken August to September 2006, including 5 in Yorkshire and Humber.

Key issues

The literature review looks at definitions of ‘older’ and ‘refugee’ and what is known about the demographics of the refugee population in the UK. It then assesses older refugees in terms of policy and service provision areas [law, health, housing, education and training, employment, and information]. The importance of family and community networks to older refugees is discussed and gaps in knowledge and possible research areas and questions listed. The findings from interviews with older refugees provided data on age and integration, extra care and support, accessing health and other public services, group and community involvement, education, employment, volunteering and income.

Conclusions

Asylum seeker interviews were more likely to be suffering poor health, anxiety, hardship and despair than refugees.