Last month we published our landmark State of Ageing 2023-24 report. It is the most detailed report on the lives of older people to date, drawing from a wide range of statistical sources to paint a picture of ageing in England today. But we know that statistics can only tell us so much. It is also vital to listen to older people about what is important in their lives, and how some of the trends we see in the numbers affect them day-to-day.
We know from State of Ageing that diversity among older people is increasing, and we know that older people from some Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds are more likely to live in poverty and poor housing, and be in poorer health, than average. We also know that the cost-of-living crisis is having an unequal impact on people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
So it was a privilege to be involved in a research project with the University of Manchester into this impact, and to hear the experiences of older people from minority ethnic backgrounds first hand.
This study, by Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group with Manchester BME network and the Centre for Ageing Better, published a report recently.
It details how existing inequalities place older people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds at increased risk from the impact of high inflation, food insecurity and spiralling energy prices.
The reasons for this increased risk include:
- the long-term impact of the pandemic
- housing insecurity
- the rising price of imported food
- racism and discrimination
- language barriers resulting in limited access to services
One-to-one qualitative interviews, in the chosen language of each participant, gathered evidence from older people directly affected by the cost-of-living crisis, and the community groups that support them. This highlighted the pressures the crisis is putting on family relationships and housing, in addition to everyday spending particularly on food and energy.