Unpacking the Complexity of Migrated Older Adults’ Lives in the United Kingdom Through an Intersectional Lens: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives The intersection of population aging and international migration increases the ethnic and cultural diversity of the U.K. older population, which has significant implications for health and care services and requires social inclusion and equal access to welfare. This review aimed to explore the complexity of migrated older adults’ lives and analyze how their multiple identity markers interweave and affect their lived experiences. Research Design and Methods This review is a qualitative systematic review. Intersectionality was applied as a theoretical scaffold to inform the qualitative thematic synthesis of the data. Results A total of 29 studies in the period 2000–2020 were included. Three themes, language barriers, racism and discrimination, and negotiating cultural influences, were identified as common challenges faced by migrated older adults. However, the degree of these challenges and the resources to buffer their effects vary dramatically given the significant differences in migrated older adults’ gender, socioeconomic status (SES), cultural backgrounds, and migration pathways. Discussion and Implications Rather than focusing on any single factor, it is required to consider the intersection of age, race, ethnicity, gender, SES, and migration status to understand and address inequality not only between migrated older adults and native older adults, among different migrated older adult groups but also within any certain group. This review calls for the acknowledgment and awareness of policymakers, care and service practitioners, and academics on the heterogeneity of migrated older adults.