Problems and issues concerning social integration of elderly refugees in Turkey

Elderly refugees reflect a vulnerable group within the refugee communities. When the difficulties of the old age and the migration process come together, difficulties and problems tend to increase. Considering the rise in the elderly and refugee population, the social integration of elderly refugees were discussed in this study. Elderly refugees had health problems, language problems, isolation and formal problems mostly. Women refugees seemed to be more disadvantaged in terms of education, language, income and employment. Language, poverty and being in a different country were the factors that made the social integration of elderly refugees difficult, while facilitating factors were evaluated as common religion, host country characteristics and social networks. Specific services and gerontological social work practices should be created that eliminate the challenging factors and emphasize the facilitating factors of the social integration for elderly refugees.