Todays Concerns And Bleak Tommorows
 
A watershed publication written by Saber Khan, was the first study that looked at the older people from minority ethnic backgrounds from the interaltionship of housing, health and social care.
 
Based on a study of 400 older people, case studies and focus groups the publication is unique in being the first to apply a depression screening questionnaire to understanding 'quality of life' from a holistic point of view. Research in 1995 and published in 1997 the issues facing minority ethnic older people according to Saber were 'Todays Concerns' that would lead to 'bleak Tomorrows' if health and related agencies did not work better together.
 
The second edition. 2010 has been released and develops upon the current position.



Steps To Understanding
Why do minority ethnic elders often assume that public services are not for them? The SAMEC Trust ( Service Access for Minority Ethnic Communities ) has produced this good practice guide, funded by The Housing Corporation, which is based on the results of a major study carried out throughout England on the communication needs of older people of ethnic minorities.

The feeling of being a burden was frequently mentioned by people surveyed. Lack of appropriate language provision can make older people think that “the services” are not for them.

The report highlights vital communication gaps which can lead to very low levels of service take-up amongst minority ethnic elders. Its findings will be invaluable to all social housing and health providers and other publicly funded services such as Community Care.

in the words of one respondent, “ You make one step towards me, I will make two steps towards you ”

Home from Home is a developmental research study commissioned by the London Borough of Hackney Social Services for consulting Black and Minority Ethnic Older People about their Housing and Support needs.

It establishes the extent of BME community’s understanding of the types of housing with support that are available and user’s preferences for housing types. The research also considers – from a user’s perspective – the means by which existing services can be made more ethnically and culturally sensitive, and seeks to clarify the extent to which users want separate “discrete” service provision as opposed to services which are managed on multi ethnic basis.

Housing Options For Ethnic Elders
This study relates to Extra Care Housing and the potential for take up from older people from minority ethnic communities, based on case studies and depth interviews on quality of life linked with physical long provision.