Table 3 Key issues contributing to vulnerability in new arrivals and older migrants
From: Extreme heat and cultural and linguistic minorities in Australia: perceptions of stakeholders
Issues | New arrivals | Older, long-term migrants |
|---|---|---|
Coping with heat | Not used to the dry heat and are unaware of adaptive behaviours | Think they can cope in the heat as they did when they were young |
Air conditioning (AC) | Cannot afford power costs associated with AC | A frugal generation, reluctant to use AC |
Poor housing | Poor quality rental housing with no AC | Often older, less efficient housing |
SES | Low SES, unemployment, financial hardship | Pensioners have low incomes. Can be asset rich, cash poor |
Language barrier | Many do not speak English | First language reversion can occur later in life |
Low literacy levels | Many are illiterate | Low literacy levels in many older migrants |
Many do not drink water | Some not accustomed to drinking tap water | May have incontinence issues |
Health conditions | Can have poor mental health, Vitamin D & nutrition deficiencies | Dementia, age-related chronic conditions and disabilities |
Clothing | May wear heavy or layered garments | Often over-dress, wear traditional clothes |
Isolation | Asylum seekers may lack social connections | Many older persons live in isolation |
Transport | Many do not drive and cannot easily get to cooler places | Mobility issues re access to cooler places |