Prevention strategies for elderly migrants in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods: The role of neighbourhood agencies

Introduction: Elderly migrants are a fast growing group among the ageing populations in western societies, often showing a relatively low socioeconomic status and accumulated health risks. Public health research and practice are increasingly challenged to address the health problems of this group, provide health care and facilitate the maintenance of participation, because of its strongly connectedness with health. Therefore primary as well as tertiary prevention strategies are required. Neighbourhoods show up as important intervention settings. Nevertheless there is little known about successful strategies to provide this group access to primary and tertiary prevention.

Methods: The presentation will report preliminary results from a qualitative study in progress that investigates - among others - social resources to maintain an autonomous way of life for elderly people who are in need of care in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Guided interviews with representatives of different types of neighbourhood agencies such as medical care providers, local neighbourhood development agencies, elderly or migrant self organisations, as well as community administrative representatives are conducted to assess infrastructure and social resources for support in daily routines, medical care, and social participation as well as their political, financial, organisational and other conditions in a socially disadvantaged neighbourhood in an urban area.

Results: The agency representatives’ views on the needs of elderly migrants are presented as well as perceived thresholds and pathways to find access to elderly migrants who are in need of care. Agency activities and perceptions will be embedded and partly explained in the policy context and analyzed in their consequences for providing access to care and facilitating social participation for the group in focus.

Discussion: Based upon the analysis, criteria are developed and put to discussion that neighbourhood based prevention strategies with a focus on elderly migrants should meet.