HOW COMMUNITY INCLUSION PRACTICES CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOUTH ASIAN OLDER PEOPLE’S (AGED 65+) SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM?

Abstract

Social inclusion is defined as the process of enhancing the conditions in which people participate in society [11,12]. Social inclusion enables individuals to take part in society and it can particularly help people, who are at risk of feeling lonely and being socially excluded [11,13]. Hence, the aim is to improve the abilities and opportunities of the disadvantaged, based on their identity and diverse needs [11,12, 14]. Additionally, human interactions are vital for maintaining good physical, spiritual and mental health [15, 16]. Moreover, social inclusion is paramount for individuals regardless of their age, gender, social status, location and ethnicity [17; 18;19].

It has been highlighted that social inclusion requires appropriate resources and services, which should be differentiated according to the physical, mental, and cultural needs of specific social groups. These needs are also ethnic and age-related [20, 21]. Nonetheless, older people’s needs are often not met, and the necessary resources may not be available, which can lead to social exclusion [11]. Social exclusion is the person’s inability to be involved in society, community, and events [11, 13, 19]. Social isolation is defined as a lack of social and familial contacts and access to the services required [22,23]. Additionally, social inclusion is a dynamic process across the life course, impacting the lives of various generations [11, 24].