Relacje sąsiedzkie i wsparcie społeczne osób starszych w środowisku zamieszkania
Neighborly relations and social support in residential environment. Sociological reflections after the research carried out within POLSENIOR project

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is to show how elderly people perceive the social support they experience in their residential environment and within their families. The seniors’ subjective view on this issue bases on in-depth interviews and enquires carried out in several chosen settlements in Silesia. The research which are being described by the author have shown that according to some well-known sociological intuitions, the family is exactly in the middle of elderly people’s social networks. This is the most important reference group for the respondents of the research described, from which they expect the most of support and help needed, especially those, which is necessary in case of total loss of efficiency and autonomy in every-day life. Despite the central position of family in social networks of the respondents, the neighbors also play a very important role in their lives, especially when they help in need or become real friends. As the respondents of the research described in the article strongly disapprove of living in a nursing home in the future and moreover the neighborhood can be the source of effective support, the author emphasizes the need for the discussion among social policy makers on the new solutions and practices, which could provide the elderly with appreciated social networks and support in their residential environment in case of the loss of their efficiency and autonomy in late life.

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