Immigrant Older Adults’ Experiences of Aging in Place and Their Neighborhoods: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Alesia Au (), Sadaf Murad-Kassam, Vestine Mukanoheli, Sobia Idrees, Esra Ben Mabrouk, Khadija Abdi, Megan Kennedy, Kyle Whitfield and Jordana Salma
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Alesia Au: Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Sadaf Murad-Kassam: Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Vestine Mukanoheli: Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Sobia Idrees: Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Esra Ben Mabrouk: Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Khadija Abdi: Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Megan Kennedy: Geoffrey & Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Kyle Whitfield: Faculty of Science, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Jordana Salma: Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 7, 1-25

Abstract: Engaging in one’s neighborhood fosters independence, promotes social connectedness, improves quality of life, and increases life expectancy in older adults. There is a lack of evidence synthesis on immigrant older adults’ neighborhood perceptions and experiences, essential for addressing neighborhood-level influences on aging in place. This study systematically synthesizes qualitative evidence on immigrant older adults’ perceptions and experiences of their neighborhoods. A comprehensive search was conducted from inception to 5 April 2023, in multiple databases. This review considered studies including immigrant older adults aged ≥60 years, included studies from any country where the neighborhood was the focus, and only considered qualitative data while excluding review studies, theoretical publications, and protocols. Eligible studies were appraised using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research. The Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregation approach was used to synthesize findings, and the ConQual approach established confidence in the synthesis. A total of 30 studies were included. Most studies were conducted in North America and explored phenomena such as aging in place, social capital, social cohesion, sense of community, and life satisfaction. Key contextual factors were walkable safe access to social spaces, accessible transportation to amenities, social cohesion with neighbors, and pre-migration neighborhood experiences. Immigrant older adults have varied experiences related to their sense of belonging and social cohesion. Factors such as racial discrimination, feeling unsafe, and social isolation contributed to negative perceptions. This review highlights the need for inclusive neighborhoods that align with the needs and values of immigrant older adults aging in place.

Keywords: immigrant; neighborhood; older adults; aging in place; social cohesion; ethnic enclave (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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