Open AccessSocial Vulnerability Facing Older Persons Involved in Internal Migration During the Pandemic
Author(s) -
Helen Hong,
Ili Merinna Mohamad Salleh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asia proceedings of social sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2663-6638
pISSN - 2663-662X
DOI - 10.31580/apss.v8i1.1954
Subject(s) - loneliness , vulnerability (computing) , pandemic , thematic analysis , focus group , qualitative research , coping (psychology) , covid-19 , perception , social isolation , psychology , geography , gerontology , political science , sociology , medicine , social psychology , disease , computer security , social science , pathology , neuroscience , psychiatry , computer science , anthropology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , psychotherapist
The vulnerabilities of elderly persons have been receiving attention around the world in recent times especially those who are involved in migration and endured the Covid-19 lockdown. The migratory process of the elderly persons is a complex phenomenon and requires emphasis on a different perception of age-related migration cause, consequences, and pattern. There is limited research that fully assess the vulnerabilities facing migrated elderly persons especially against the backdrop of the pandemic. This study focuses on the Sarawak elderly persons who migrated to Johor following their children and relatives. FGDs was conducted with NGO stakeholders related to Sarawakian community and subsequently pilot in-depth interviews were conducted with 3 older in-migrant persons residing in the District of Pasir Gudang, Johor. Thematic analysis was performed on the FGDs and pilot in-depth interview data. The key findings revealed that loneliness, financial dependence, language barrier and healthcare issues are among the major concerns; and they came up with various coping strategies to manage these challenges. The study also revealed interesting challenges brought about by the restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown.