Later life employment: Benefits and challenges experienced by older immigrants from Sub‐Saharan Africa living in Georgia

Abstract

This study examines the integration of older African immigrants in the United States through work, which provides them autonomy in later life. The study utilizes qualitative data from 27 older African immigrants from Sub‐Saharan Africa living in Georgia. The older adults are 55 or older and immigrated to the United States after 1990. The participants are from five countries (Cameroon, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, and Zambia). Their ages range from 55 to 85 years old. There are 18 men and nine women. Six participants had doctoral degrees, nine had master's degrees, six had associate or college degrees, six had vocational training, and some had college, secondary, or primary education or no formal education. Eighteen participants were employed full‐time. I apply thematic analysis to highlight emerging themes. The findings demonstrate the importance of the push and pull factors in determining immigrants' decisions to migrate in later life. Other findings highlight the challenges older adults, especially African immigrants, encounter to remain active and gainfully employed. The challenges include problems of language and accent and the classification of foreign credentials in the job market. The participants expressed the necessity to work because of family and societal obligations or perceived obligations back in their countries of origin, most notably the desire to achieve autonomy in later life. This paper contributes to the literature on the diverse aging population by expounding on the contributions made by older immigrants in the workforce, their families, and society. With the information acquired from older African immigrants, we can continue advancing policies that address the concerns of our diverse aging population. Policies should aim at training that targets older adults from diverse linguistic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. Policies should also lay out clearer pathways to financial independence, including education on the role of social security and other safety net programs for older Americans. Policies must reflect the importance of healthcare in later life, so healthcare policies should address issues on cultural competencies in training healthcare providers and educating older adult immigrants on navigating the healthcare system.