Open AccessIranian Elderly in Sydney, Australia: A Reflection on Life
Author(s) -
Freidoon Khavarpour,
Atena Hafshajani,
Kathleen Clapham
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of economics, management and trade
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-9216
DOI - 10.9734/jemt/2019/v24i530177
Subject(s) - government (linguistics) , baby boomers , quality of life (healthcare) , population ageing , population , gerontology , older people , geography , psychology , socioeconomics , sociology , medicine , demography , demographic economics , nursing , philosophy , linguistics , economics
The growth in the number and proportion of older adults is unprecedented in the history of Australia. Two factors, longer life spans and ageing baby boomers, have combined to increase this portion of population of Australian aged in recent decades. Using qualitative approach, 20 Iranian migrants, aged 65 and over, were selected and interviewed through a 10 months period, in 2016 and 2017. Conducted in various locations, participants were asked to reflect upon their social and economic experience in Australia. Most were positive about their lives in Australia, considered themselves as Australian citizen, believed Australians have ‘great deal of respect’ for the elderly, are very “warm” and “respectful” towards their elder generation, utilised various government services, and aimed to facilitate the process of “Australisation” of their children. The result indicates that the life of these elderlies can be enhanced by supporting various social and economic services and, by providing ongoing English language classes, a better quality of life for this segment of the population will be ranched.