9 December 2004
Labour MEPs Launch Initiative on Ethnic Elders in UK and EuropeClaude
Moraes MEP has backed an initiative by PRIAE (Policy Research Institute
on Ageing and Ethnicity) to uncover the health and social care needs of
millions of older people across Europe, and looking carefully at the
specific needs of Europe's forgotten ethnic elders. Speaking after the launch of the ground breaking European Commission research Claude Moraes said, "This
is a major study for minority ethnic elders in the UK. There are huge
gaps in service provision, the provision of information about health
and social care services and information in the specific language of
ethnic elders. In the UK ethnic elders from the Caribbean, the Indian
Sub Continent, Africa and elders of Chinese and Vietnamese background
as well as elders from an Eastern European background suffer from even
greater isolation than many elders in the host community." He added, "This
research, taking in 10 countries with over 30 researchers interviewing
thousands of minority ethnic elders, health and social care
professionals and voluntary organisations has revealed some key
priorities both for governments and local authorities. Many older
people from whatever background suffer social exclusion due to poverty.
This research has uncovered vulnerable groups who face additional
language barriers and discrimination. "PRIAE is working
closely with Labour MEPs to follow up the research with specific advice
to local authorities, voluntary organisations and government
departments. "With a significant ethnic elderly
population in our region, this groundbreaking research at EU level,
should produce positive results at grassroots level for older people
who have lived and worked in European countries and now hope to retire
with dignity." Background Europe's Largest
research project findings on Minority Elderly Health and Social Care
Launched at the European Parliament on Thursday 9 December 2004 from
15.00 until 17.00 P4B001. 10 Countries (UK, Finland,
France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Croatia and Switzerland), 30 researchers, 3277 minority ethnic elders,
901 health and social care professionals, three years and you get the
Minority Elderly Care (MEC) project. The aim of the
research is to collate significant information on the nature of health
and social care services. Mainstream providers do not currently meet
minority ethnic elders' needs and the issue being addressed is how best
to manage their growing needs as they age in Europe.
Areas of the UK specifically involved in the research: - Yorkshire
- London
- Scotland
Some UK Figures: - More than 30% of ethnic elder women live alone.
- 35% of ethnic elders live on less than 750 euros.
- Over 40% are in receipt of social benefits or allowances.
- 36% of South Asians and 82% of Chinese/Vietnamese did not speak English.
- GPs are the most frequently used services and are often an important access root to other services.
It
is clear that there is an information gap in health and social care
(particularly in ones own language). Other observations reveal that
having staff of the same gender was important for South Asians and that
having staff of the same ethnic group was a big expectation for South
Asians and Chinese/Vietnamese elders. Sources of funding
for Minority elder's organisations are very varied. Generation of
income from services, fees and donations is common. Some funding is
available from EU sources. The report to be launched on
Thursday 9 December in the European Parliament makes several
recommendations on improving elderly health and social care in Europe. Click here for a list of PRIAE's past projects Click here for a list of PRIAE's current projects
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