A new report from Age UK, Ageing While Black, highlights how racism, discrimination and inequality experienced across a lifetime continue to shape outcomes for Black Caribbean people in later life.
The findings show that structural disadvantage accumulates over time, with serious consequences for financial security, health and wellbeing in older age.
ITV have also covered this news and you can watch it online here.
Key findings from the report
The report highlights significant inequalities faced by older Black Caribbean people in England:
- One in four Black pensioners lives in poverty, compared with around one in six pensioners overall
- Rates of poor health among Black men and women are equivalent to White British people ten years older
- Only 31% of Black households own their home, compared with a national average of 65%
- Black households are more than twice as likely to live in social housing
- Black households aged over 50 are twice as likely to experience housing deprivation (10.3% compared with 5.3% across all ethnic groups)
These inequalities have a direct and lasting impact on quality of life in later years.
Lived experience and access to services
Drawing on in-depth interviews and focus groups with older Black Caribbean people, the report explores how lifelong exposure to racism, injustice and institutional discrimination contributes to poorer outcomes in later life.
Participants described additional barriers when accessing public services, with ageist attitudes and age discrimination compounding the effects of racism. These experiences further limit access to healthcare, housing support and financial advice at a time when support is most needed.
An ageing and under-researched population
The Black Caribbean population is recognised as one of the oldest ethnic groups in the UK. Many are members of the Windrush generation and their descendants, who contributed significantly to British society while also experiencing systemic discrimination, including the Windrush Scandal.
Despite this, the report highlights that the experiences of older Black Caribbean people remain under-researched and too often overlooked in policy and service design.
A call to action
Age UK’s report calls on government, researchers and community organisations to take these findings seriously and prioritise action. A holistic approach is needed to address inequalities across healthcare, housing, employment and public services, ensuring that people can age well and with dignity.
As Age UK Chief Executive Paul Farmer notes in the foreword, listening to and learning from these lived experiences is essential if institutions and services are to truly serve an increasingly diverse older population.
Read the full report
Ageing While Black: the experiences of Black Caribbean older people in England is available to read in full here.