BEING SENIOR IN HUNGARY. SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION AND HEALTH STATUS IN LATE ADULTHOOD Cover Image

BEING SENIOR IN HUNGARY. SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION AND HEALTH STATUS IN LATE ADULTHOOD
BEING SENIOR IN HUNGARY. SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION AND HEALTH STATUS IN LATE ADULTHOOD

Author(s): Kinga Lampek, Mária Törőcsik, János Soós
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai
Keywords: ageing; social challenges; social and health status.

Summary/Abstract: As the expected lifespan lengthened and the proportion of elderly persons extended, the social issue of ageing populations and life conditions during late adulthood became increasingly salient. Without a thorough understanding of the status of senior persons and their life circumstances, it would be hardly possible to face the challenges of the new age structure of the population. The aim of the authors is to describe the life circumstances of seniors in Hungary and to foster the understanding of senior persons, their ways of thinking, values, and the importance of this age group for the whole society. The category of seniors is not homogenous: they live in different environments, have different incomes, schooling, family background, some of them are widows, while others live in marriage. And, above all, their ways of thinking about being a senior and their experiences of ageing are considerably different. The perception about health status varies according to the exact age, income, life circumstances, family background, the values and traditions shared. This paper first discusses the demographic trend of increasing lifespan and the definitions of the age group of late adulthood. Then, it turns to the analysis of the category of seniors from the point of view of their socio-economic situation and health status.

  • Issue Year: 53/2008
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 23-38
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: English