The mental health challenges older immigrants face in Winnipeg.

     The Downtown, Winnipeg, Summer 2008/ D.Hayward

      If you look around Winnipeg any given day you can see that the face of Winnipeg is changing. Winnipeg is becoming more diverse and welcomes many new immigrants every year. The immigrant experience can be very different depending on many personal factors, but what about persons that immigrate later in life. What are some of the local mental health issues?

      The population of immigrants in Winnipeg that is age 65 and older is primarily living with extended family, which feeds into a natural assumption that they are well cared for. In Winnipeg there are 6,850 immigrants age 65 and over who are living alone (“Recent Immigrants,” 2001). Another 240 immigrants age 65 and older live with non-relatives only, whereas a large number, 16,740, live with relatives (“Recent Immigrants,” 2001).

      A study in 2005 by Taylor, Taylor-Henley, and Doan, investigated some of the challenges faced by older immigrants to Winnipeg. Professors Laura Taylor and Sharon Taylor-Henley from the University of Manitoba's social work department were two of the main researchers on this project (Taylor et al., 2005, p. 23). They collected stories from older persons who were involved in an ESL program at Age and Opportunity Inc. (Taylor et al., 2005, p.23).

      Older immigrants can face many challenges when it comes to settling into a new country (Taylor et al., 2005, p. 24). Older immigrants leave a lifetime of experiences behind and must adjust to many losses (Taylor et al., 2005, p. 24). Immigrants may lose friends, family, personal property, and may have to adjust to a loss of status (Taylor et al., 2005, p. 24). After a lifetime of socialization into one culture, older immigrants may have to learn a whole new culture and ways of being (Taylor et al., 2005, p. 24.). This culture shock can be compounded by a language barrier (Taylor et al., 2005, p. 24). This can put older immigrants at risk for depression, anxiety, and psychosomatic symptoms (Taylor et al., 2005, p.24). These factors can be compounded by factors that may further serve to marginalize older immigrants, such as poverty, racism, or discrimination (Taylor et al., 2005, p.24.).

      A part of the stress an immigrant goes through is homesickness, which is seen as a form of grief

(Taylor et al., 2005, p.24). It can influence immigrants throughout their lifetimes (Taylor et al., 2005, p.24). It can cause emotional disturbances and effect relationships with others, possibly causing domestic abuse or abuse of older persons (Taylor et al., 2005, p.24).

      Not much research has been done on elder abuse involving immigrants who are older persons (Taylor et al., 2005, p.24). However some researchers have highlighted factors that make older persons who are immigrants more vulnerable, including inability to communicate, no access to services, and geographic isolation (Taylor et al., 2005, p.24-25). The possibility of abuse increases if an older person who is a immigrant is living with someone and if they are non-white (Taylor et al., 2005, p.24-25). It has also been found that having family around does not always help older immigrants (Taylor et al., 2005, p.25). Having family around can mean that older immigrants merely adopt a self-sacrificing attitude and give everything for younger family members (Taylor et al., 2005, p.25).

      In collecting the stories of older immigrants, the study identified homesickness, abusive situations, isolation during long Canadian winters, lack of English skills, and little knowledge of Canadian customs as sources of mental stress for older immigrants (Taylor et al., 2005, p.29-31).

      Homesickness was described by an older immigrant as feeling lonely and crying, thinking about wanting to go home (Taylor et al., 2005, p.29). One older immigrant described his coming to Canada and working hard to give his family money and doing chores at home (Taylor et al., 2005, p.30). He mentioned that despite this, they did not treat him favorably, ignoring him and verbally abusing him (Taylor et al., 2005, p.30). Fortunately this individual was able to move into a complex for older persons and described his life as getting better with taking ESL classes (Taylor et al., 2005, p.30). He did mention that he was fortunate to not have done anything stupid during his difficult times with his family, which illustrates how vulnerable an older immigrant is without support (Taylor et al., 2005, p.30). Several immigrants described how isolating they found the Winnipeg winters, and how it was just too cold to leave the house (Taylor et al., 2005, p.30). Many of the older immigrants described feeling helpless and dependent on family because of language or cultural barriers (Taylor et al., 2005, p.30).

      The study also found that ESL classes specifically for persons who are older immigrants helped combat some of the negative effects of settling in a new land (Taylor et al., 2005, p.30-32). A model for best practices is presented which describes the importance of ESL classes amidst other social services to better protect the mental health of older immigrants (Taylor et al., 2005, p.26).

      In my opinion, mental health issues among older immigrants is a very neglected field. I think that because of a general stereotype about other cultures being almost more respectful of their “elders” than in Canada, elder abuse may be overlooked. It is pleasing to see that some services are being geared to older immigrants in town. I often wonder when it comes to immigrant settlement, and mental stress issues, are problems being compounded by our Canadian belief in multiculturalism. Is it possible we are too timid to believe immigrants should be taught how to be Canadian? I think it is possible that we are too timid and cultural respect can be maintained while at the same time we can empower new immigrants by helping them integrate and welcoming them into the larger Canadian family, while maintaining their cultural heritage. 

D. Hayward. 

References

       Citizenship and Immigration Canada, (2001).  Recent Immigrants in Metropolitan Areas: Winnipeg; A Comparative Profile Based on the 2001 Census. Retrieved from http://www.ci.gc.ca/english/resources/research/census2001/winnipeg/partc.asp#c1a

        Taylor, L., Taylor-Henley, S., & Doan, L. (2005) Older Immigrants: Language competencies and mental health. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 24(2), 23-34. Retrieved from http://www.metapress.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/865086437r212250/fulltext.pdf