Exclusion within exclusion: The experiences of internally displaced older adults in Lugbe camp, Abuja.

As the Boko Haram insurgency-induced conflict in Northeast Nigeria lingers and more people are made homeless, Displaced older persons who have lost their social networks, support systems, status, and roles as a result may experience new challenges at the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps. Our study explored older adults' experiences of exclusion in the Lugbe IDP camp in Abuja. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 displaced older adults aged 60 and above who have lived in the camp for five years. The collected data were subsequently transcribed and analysed thematically using NVivo 12. Findings showed that displaced older adults suffered social, economic, and political exclusions. They were also excluded from participating in training programmes that could equip them with the skills to survive in their new environment. Similarly, it was found that the displaced older adults in the study had difficulty connecting with friends and families outside the camp due to their lack of experience in utilising digital technology, resulting in feelings of increased loneliness. Poverty and lack of education were identified as the main predisposing factors for exclusion. Exclusion affected displaced older people's health and life satisfaction. We recommend that organisers/managers of IDP camps ensure that policies and programmes are sufficiently inclusive of and sensitive to the physical and mental well-being of older Internally Displaced Persons. This would be in accordance with the African culture of support and consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Understanding the impact of digital technology on the well-being of older immigrants and refugees: A scoping review.

Background: The fast-paced development of digital technologies in the areas of social media, pet robots, smart homes, and artificial intelligence, among others, profoundly influence the daily lives of older adults. Digital technology can improve the well-being and quality of life of older adults, older immigrants and refugees who suffer migration-associated stress, loneliness, health and psychosocial challenges. Aims: The aim of this scoping review is to map out extant empirical literature that has examined the implication of digital technology among older refugees and immigrants. Methods: Using a1 five-stage framework, we conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed empirical studies published in English with no time restrictions. We searched nine databases for the reviews, and abstracts were reviewed using Rayyan QCRi(c) before the full-text review. The comprehensive database search yielded 4134 articles, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. Results: The results of the review suggest that digital technology is essential to the well-being, quality of life of older immigrants and refugees, especially for maintaining and building new social support networks, navigating opportunities, coping with migration-induced stress through e-leisure, and staying connected to their culture. The literature also revealed poor utilisation of digital technologies amongst older immigrants and refugees, suggesting barriers to access. Conclusion: The study concluded by highlighting the need for more research and interventions that focus on multiple strategies, including education for increased access to and utilisation of digital technology to ensure that more older migrants can benefit from the advantages of digital technology in a safe way.