Dostojanstvo starosti na pozornici suvremenoga društva
The dignity of old age on the stage of contemporary society

Summary/Abstract: The dignity of the tertiary-age population in contemporary society is analyzed in the theoretical part of the work starting from the basic principles of the United Nations for the elderly (Resolution 46/1991). Dignity, with the right on independence, social activity, care and self-fulfillment represent the basic postulates of quality old age. In the last thirty years we are witnessing a rapid population aging which is mostly due to the prolongation of life-expectancy. Accordingly, many documents have been adopted which want to affect the awareness to increase the life quality of tertiary-age population, and to reduce the negative effects of old age. Despite the adopted documents, research shows that marginalization of tertiary-age population is still present: from advertisements to every day situations. This raises a question: How many Declarations, Strategies and documents do we need in order that old age should receive its pertaining dignity? Results of conducted research which are connected to the correlation of retiring and the quality of life of tertiary-age population are considered, with the prejudices towards the persons of tertiary age, and with indicators of contentment of tertiary-age population. The existing Universities for tertiary-age population, Senior clubs, and Gerontology centers are positive examples of social initiatives and relatively new ways of old age affirmation in the service of achieving basic human rights and the dignity of old age. The change of attitudes about old age is not (and must not be) a single action but a continuous activity through the affirmation of old age as a social resource. Although the question of old age is a complex one, by giving insights to the challenges with which persons of tertiary age are dealing, the paper attempts to give guidelines for future scientific research. The moral and human need to continuously sensitize the public about the question of the dignity of old age is invoked. Our culture stands on the side of conceptual global metaphor of life as a journey where old age is the final point before death. However, it is necessary to look at old age from a different perspective and see it metonymically as a new chance and new strength, notably as a dance with life which marks self-fulfillment of personal identity until old age.

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