Experiences of care and support among older migrants

Key messages

• limited proficiency in English restricts communication with service providers and understanding of available support
• gaps in cultural competence within mainstream services reduce trust and accessibility
• unfamiliarity with UK health and social care systems limits engagement, even at a local level
• mistrust of formal institutions discourages some older migrants from seeking help.

Policy implications

• interpretation and language support are likely to be central to equitable access
• services may need to better recognise cultural practices and preferences
• locally tailored information could improve understanding of care and support systems
• trust-building approaches may support engagement with formal services.

Gaps

• limited representation of less-studied migrant groups
• lack of comparative analysis across different migrant communities
• limited evidence on the effectiveness of culturally tailored interventions.

Commentary
This study highlights how inequities in access to care and support for older migrants are shaped by language barriers, cultural mismatch and limited familiarity with UK systems. These factors contribute to exclusion and isolation, reducing opportunities to engage with services.

The findings also emphasise the role of trust. Cultural competency gaps and prior experiences of institutions shape expectations and willingness to seek support, particularly where services are perceived as unresponsive or inaccessible.

From a care equity perspective, the evidence shows how mainstream service models can disadvantage people who do not share dominant linguistic or cultural norms. Without adaptation, systems risk reinforcing unequal access and outcomes.

The study also points to important evidence gaps. Limited representation of less-studied migrant groups restricts understanding of variation in need, underlining the value of locally driven and culturally sensitive research to inform more equitable service design.