Population ageing and sustainable fiscal policy in Czechia

Author(s): Kateřina Gawthorpe / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

The substantial ageing impact projected by the Eurostat motivates this research for the case of the Czech Republic. The study assists policymakers by analysing fiscal-policy measures to stabilize ageing impact on the income and the well-being; and motivates fiscal authorities to utilize an extended version of the Czech Ministry of Finance model for the demographic agenda. The examined fiscal measures consist of postponing retirement, increasing pensions, and reducing social-security payments. The simulation outcome reveals reducing social-security payments as the only fiscal policy that would maintain both labour income and well-being unaltered in the presence of ageing. The study continues by proposing a policy mix to mitigate the subsequent government deficit. The policy mix consists of increasing the VAT tax rate and decreasing pensions and other transfers. In conclusion, the reduction of the social security payments financed by the suggested policy mix would support individuals' responsibility for their future income while motivating them towards higher productivity during their younger years.

The relationship between art education and the physical and mental health of the elderly in Poland and abroad

Author(s): Krystyna Kacprowska / Language(s): English Issue: 9/2021

The author of the article discusses the impact of artistic activities on the physical and mental health of elderly people. She describes the correlation between music and dance and the well-being and mental development of seniors. Both Poland and other countries organize classes in choreotherapy, art therapy and music therapy to support this social group. The author pays special attention to the functions of artistic activities and their importance for human health. In this article, she presents three forms of therapy for seniors which are organized in Poland and abroad: choreotherapy, art therapy, and music therapy. The article also includes descriptions of government programmes designed to support active older adults.

Apostolstwo Dobrej Śmierci – duszpasterstwo, formacja, działalność wydawnicza i naukowa

Author(s): Bogdan Kulik / Language(s): Polish Issue: 10/2021

The article is a detailed analysis of activity of the Apostolate of Good Death, written to show specific ways of proclamation of Christian hope for eternal life. That issue has been raised on the grounds of COVID-19 pandemic, which showed the need of constant reminding of human's eternal life dimension. The study of the Apostolate`s activity focuces on its main forms and shows a major role of the Apostolate in popularizing estachological mentality, during and after the pandemic.

Age Management in the Brazilian Context: A Theoretical Discussion

Author(s): Mayara Andresa Pires da Silva,Diogo Henrique Helal / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

The aging of population and workforce has significantly impacted living conditions in society and organizations around the world. This scenario represents a challenge for public policymakers and for the labor market, whose future depends on the maintenance of the work capacity of the older workers and their continued participation in the labour market. In this context, age management policies are increasingly important as they play a crucial role in increasing and sustaining the participation of these workers in the labor market. This theoretical essay aims to discuss age management in the Brazilian context. Specifically, it seeks to present the concept of age management and its challenges for the organizations in Brazil. Age management has been defined as the best way to strategically deal with the changes resulting from the aging of the population and consequent changes in the labor market. We argue, in this study, that the phenomenon of aging has specific characteristics in Brazil, a country with a collectivist trait in which intergenerational affective-moral-financial responsibility is the main issue.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN ROMANIA

Author(s): Monica Angela Bara / Language(s): English Issue: 22/2022

Elderly people live real dramas because of their exclusion from social and economic life, but mostly because on several occasions they are abandoned in their old age by their own children. Moreover, once they grow older these people start confronting various health problem sand need the help of someone else almost permanently.Thus, they become dependent, experiencing strong feelings of frustration, insecurity,because of lack of control over their own lives, impatience, anger, when the care is in appropriate, guilt towards the caretaker.The activities which have taken place up to the present in favors of elderly people were sporadic and without results, and concerning abandoned, isolated, and sick old people, they were practically inexistent. The elderly has difficulties in maintaining normal living standards because of economic problems which led to the apparition of an aggravating state of poverty among them

Нови книги

Author(s): Plamen Ivanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2022

Perceptions Concerning Social and Healthcare Services among Romanian Older Persons

Author(s): Mihaela Ghenţa,Aniela Matei,Elen-Silvana Bobârnat / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2022

Social exclusion, especially social exclusion in old age, represents an area of interest at European level, in the context of demographic transformations. At national level, studies and research on social exclusion in old age are scarce, although the older population is more likely to be at risk of social exclusion. The article presents the results of a quantitative research methodology based on a questionnaire applied to older people of age 65 years and over. The research was conducted during November - December 2021 and the survey was representative at national level with a margin of error of ±3.5%. The aim of this article is to analyse the perceptions of older persons regarding the access and quality of social and healthcare services accessed, and thus, to gain a better understanding on how these types of services could contribute to social inclusion. Data interpretation was made using techniques of descriptive statistical analysis. Results emphasize that access to social and healthcare services are essential in old age. Perceptions of older persons highlight the need for structural changes at national level, so that social and healthcare services could make a real contribution to reducing social exclusion.

Mortality Patterns in Romania 2000-2015: Infant Mortality, Adult Mortality and Causes of Death

Author(s): Qiyao Pan / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2022

This study documents the recent mortality patterns of Romanian population between 2000 and 2015. Despite the increasing life expectancy at birth, Romania is still witnessing one of the highest infant death rates and tuberculosis death rates in the EU. Based on the internationally available World Health Organization mortality database, this study focuses on three aspects of mortality data: infant mortality, adult mortality, and causes of death, using age-specific decompositions and multiple-decrement life tables. Results show disparities among age groups by sex in a fifteen-year period. The infant mortality and tuberculosis mortality have decreased significantly, yet tuberculosis remains a major death cause among young population. Mortality rates attributable to behavioural factors have been increasing. Moreover, there is an unusually high mortality rate among the 1986-1990 cohorts. These findings shed light on the health conditions in Romania before and after its accession to the European Union

Fear during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Author(s): Mihai Pascaru / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

This study will present some results of an on-line survey conducted by the author on a sample of 1640 subjects. The analysis of the results from the perspective of fear determinants during COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that being a less educated, older (but not over 70 years), social-network-informed, widow, living in a rural area, may result in an increased level of fear. Direct experience with the virus does not result in significant differences in fear level according to our findings. The impact analysis of fear on attitudinal compliance revealed that higher levels of fear may result in higher levels of compliance with preventive measures and in more willingness to get vaccinated.

Nadějné vyhlídky? Péče o starší z perspektivy osob pečujících ve formální péči

Author(s): Hana Maříková / Language(s): Czech Issue: 2/2019

In the elderly care system in the Czech Republic as well as in other European countries, there is a trend towards commodification, marketization, decentralization and pluralization of care. In this system the status of seniors and also those who care has changed by introducing the care allowance as a tool of direct payments. While the consequences of introducing a new model of elderly care were mapped (at least partially) from the perspective of informal carers, no analysis has been done from the perspective of formal cares targeted by this article. The analysis of experience, perception and reflection of the elderly care system from the perspective of formal carers employed in organizations providing home care or residential care in different regions of the Czech Republic is based on 27 semi-structured interviews conducted in 2016−2017. The article focuses mainly on answering these questions: How formal carers perceive and evaluate their working conditions? What do they consider “good care“? What type of care do they prefer for their old age? Their perspective reveals some unintended consequences of the elderly care system in the segment of formal care, as well as the possibilities of its development towards care they consider “good care“.

Vybrané rozdíly v kvalitě života českých seniorů ve městě a na venkově

Author(s): Lucie Vidovićová / Language(s): Czech Issue: 3/2018

The paper presents an analysis of the rural-urban divide in terms of the quality of life of older people in the Czech Republic. The results aim to contribute to the debate about whether the countryside or the city is the better place to grow old. In public discourse, the term "rural" is often equated with conservativism, boredom, uniformity, deprivation, ageing, social exclusion, and underdeveloped services. In contrast, cities are stereotypically conceived as progressive, growing, rich, fast-paced, but also anonymous and dangerous. These aspects can influence the perceived quality of life of older respondents to varying degrees. The study uses two data sets representative of the senior urban (n = 1921) and rural (n = 1235) populations over 60 years of age. Forty-six indicators are divided into eight dimensions of quality of life: family and friend relationships, emotional well-being, material well-being, health, economic and public activities, place attachment, personal safety, and mobility. In more than one third of the indicators monitored, cities and villages show approximately the same values, while in 20 % of the indicators cities appear to provide more favorable conditions with respect to quality of life at higher age; however, in 43 % of indicators, rural areas appear to provide more favorable conditions than cities. Rural seniors in the Czech Republic are subjectively healthier, have higher incomes and lower housing costs, have better relationships in their neighborhoods, and feel safer and slightly more included. Urban seniors benefit from better transport infrastructure and opportunities for culturally productive activities, which can be a function of their generally higher education. In the discussion, we draw attention to the “deficient“ approach of selected policies to living conditions in villages, these treating villages more as “cities in the making“ and putting greater moral value on the urban features of life. By doing so, they disregard “person-environment fit“ principles which reflect the congruence between the individual and his or her living space.

Effects of Economic Freedom on Subjective Well-Being

Author(s): Alexandra Cristina Sirbu,Andreea-Oana Iacobuţă-Mihăiță,Mircea Asandului,Madalina-Maria Brezuleanu / Language(s): English Issue: Special/2023

Are people more likely to be satisfied with their lives if they had freedom from regulations, if they had the ability to trade freely internationally? In light of the demographic aging phenomenon we are facing, the present study analyzes the relationship between economic freedom and life satisfaction among European older adults. In order to do so, we are using data from the European Health, Ageing, and Retirement Survey and Economic Freedom of the World. By using the ordered logit regression method, we estimated different models to identify how sub-indicators of economic freedom affect the subjective well-being. According to the findings, the quality of the institutions that define the legal system and establish rules for the protection of private property and sound monetary policy have a positive effect on subjective well-being. On the other hand, openness to international trade has a negative effect and government and regulation doesn’t show any significance.

Inkluzja społeczna osób z niepełnosprawnościami w Polsce z perspektywy prawa, badaczy społecznych i społeczeństwa polskiego

Author(s): Anna Daszewska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 39 (3)/2022

The aim of this article is to show the state of social inclusion of people with disabilities in Poland through the prism of legal acts, opinions of social researchers and Polish society. This research paper was prepared on the basis of an analysis of the content of legal regulations, sociological literature and CBOS reports from 2000-2021. The investigation of the materials collected allowed for the formulation of three basic conclusions. Firstly, despite the existence of many legal regulations concerning people with disabilities, both social researchers and the public have pointed to the fact that social inclusion of people with disabilities in Poland requires further improvements. Secondly, social researchers claim that the definition of disability contained in the 1997 Act on Vocational and Social Rehabilitation is contrary to international regulations and the new approach to disability. In order to achieve more effective inclusion of people with disabilities, a change in Poland’s social policy is recommended, with a shift from a protective to a supportive model of assistance. Thirdly, in the light of public opinion polls, there has been a positive change over 21 years in the social awareness of Poles towards people with disabilities. This article is divided into four parts. The first part introduces basic concepts of social inclusion of people with disabilities. The second part presents the problem of social inclusion in the light of legal acts. The third part introduces the issue of inclusion from the point of view of social researchers. In the fourth part, CBOS opinion polls on the issue of inclusion of people with disabilities in Poland are presented. Finally, conclusions are drawn, in which the collected material is analysed. The article additionally features a summary and a references section.

Experiences of Older People in the COVID-19 Process towards Stigmatization and Anxiety: A Qualitative Study

Author(s): Nuray Şimşek,Eda Albayrak,Yurdagül Selvi,Oktay Bektas / Language(s): English Issue: Suppl. 1/2022

The aim of the study is to investigate the experiences of elderly individuals regarding stigma and anxiety during the COVID 19 pandemic. This study is a study conducted with a hermeneutic approach, one of the qualitative methods and phenomenology models. After obtaining ethical permission, the document and interview data of 10 elderly individuals selected through criterion sampling were analyzed with descriptive analysis. Findings consist of a theme, seven categories and forty-eight codes. Participants emphasized that the pandemic process caused anxiety and that they felt stigmatized in this process. The participants stated that the lethality of the COVID 19 disease and the high rate of transmission caused them anxiety. In addition, they stated that the restrictive measures taken for the elderly made them feel like a source of illness and this caused them to feel stigmatized. In conclusion, it was observed that the participants had high anxiety and stigmatized feelings in this process. They stated that they pay attention to the mask, distance and hygiene rules, which are the methods of protection from the virus, to cope with anxiety, and that they have a spiritual orientation. However, they did not have any statements about the feelings of anxiety and stigmatization they experienced in this process to share with their relatives or health workers and to get help. Accordingly, it is thought that it would be beneficial for healthcare professionals working with elderly individuals to encourage these individuals to share their feelings. In addition, healthcare professionals should take part in activities to raise awareness of the community about the COVID 19 process and the measures taken to prevent stigma.

IZAZOVI U OČUVANJU MENTALNOG ZDRAVLJA OSOBA STARIJE ŽIVOTNE DOBI

Author(s): Miodrag N. Simović,Jelena Kuprešanin / Language(s): Bosnian,Croatian,Serbian Issue: 8/2023

Protection and improvement of health is a universal human right, however, its full realization primarily depends on the resources of each country and available and quality health care. Preservation of the mental health of the population is imperative in the creation of public policies, but also a prerequisite for the preservation and functioning of any healthy society. Various crises caused by internal and external factors additionally contribute to increasing the risk of endangering the overall health of individuals, families and society as a whole, while simultaneously pointing to the importance and role of protective factors. The increasing presence of alienation in society impairs mental health, affects productivity and the success of dealing with everyday stress. The mental and physical health of the elderly population is particularly sensitive and endangered, and its preservation needs to be approached systematically, planned and continuously. Professionals in the field of care for the elderly as a problem often highlight the risk of stigmatization and discrimination of people with mental health disorders. The process of accelerated aging of the population, the mutual correlation of physical and mental health, the need for preventive programs, the degree of quality of family relationships and the environment are just some of the numerous factors that can have negative implications on overall health. The aforementioned can be mitigated by the joint action of different systems and professionals, by strengthening families, as well as by intensifying regional and international cooperation in the field of health policies. The future brings numerous health, but also social and economic challenges

Mládí a stáří jako kulturně konstruované tělesné identity případ české vývojové psychologie druhé poloviny 20. století

Author(s): Josef Řídký / Language(s): Czech Issue: 01/2016

In this study, youth and old age are viewed as culturally constructed physical identities, whereby the main focus is on the ways in which their representation was constructed within the discourse of Czech developmental psychology of the second half of the 20th century. The investigation is framed by the introduction of the term corpus, by which the author tries to highlight the specific nature of these physical identities. Corpus is defined by three groups of characteristics: it forms an inventory of characteristic qualities; it locates identity as something original in the human body; it treats the particular identities as separate animal species. On the axis of these groups, it turns out that developmental psychology disqualifies both youth and old age in favour of the dominant identity of adulthood. While youth has an adult body at its disposal, lack of experience and excessive emotivity make it questionable and it is perceived that they require control so as not to threaten a development into a future adult. Old age, on the other hand, is disqualified by weakness of the body and overabundance of experience, which turn it into a mere caricature of a former adult. Both identities are thus subjected to a symbolic adultocentrism.

Co-production Practices in Public Social Services during the COVID-19 Lockdown Period. An Example from Centers for Older Adults Organized under the Polish Government’s Multiannual Program “Senior+”

Author(s): Grzegorz Gawron / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting our health and other aspects of our lives — work, family life, and contact with others. Everyday functioning has changed completely. The threat of the pandemic has forced us to develop new everyday practices, including co-producing services in conditions of minimal direct contact. The article aims to present co-production practices in public social services during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The discussion is based on the results of nationwide research conducted in Poland among formal organizers of services in local centers for older adults organized under the government’s multiannual program “Senior+” (155 from 772 centers throughout Poland). The author distinguished three primary forms of the older people co-production (Elementary, Individual, and Collective) filled with various service practices during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

THE IMPACT OF EDUCATION ON THE REDUCTION OF THE SOCIAL EXCLUSION OF ELDERLY PERSONS FROM THE LABOR MARKET

Author(s): Ecaterina Heghea / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2022

Currently, in the Republic of Moldova, the share of elderly people employed in the labor field is continuously increasing. Many elder people would like to continue working after reaching retirement age. The reason being the small pension, which does not allow them to satisfy even their most essential needs. Elderly people sometimes do not have enough new knowledge, skills that would improve their quality of life and allow them to avoid social exclusion both in everyday life and in the labor market. The solution is seen in the system of additional/continuous education and professional retraining for this population category. The article presents an overview of the education of the elderly persons. The situation of elderly people in the Republic of Moldova was analyzed. The paper presented the data of the survey carried out by the author regarding the education of the elderly people in the Republic of Moldova and its impact on the social exclusion of the elderly people from the labor market.

Обучение в ходене с помощни средства – рискове и сигурност за пациента

Author(s): Atanas Drumev,Danelina Vacheva,Iskra Tsankova Petkova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5s/2023

Impaired locomotor activity changes the dynamic stereotype of each person, and this leads to significant changes in daily life related to maintaining personal hygiene, performing household activities, social contacts and skills and habits at work. Building a new motor habit carries the main characteristics of a pedagogical process with in-depth knowledge of the basic principles and methods of training, knowledge and practical skills for performing a given motor act, but it also has its own specifics of motor training. The new motor habit for walking with aids must guarantee the safety of the patient, consistent with his individual functional capabilities for its formation. The purpose of this article is to formulate methodological guidelines for overcoming the risk factors in learning to walk with aids, guaranteeing the safety of the patient with impaired locomotion. Material and methods. Patients who have impaired or difficult locomotion, which can be a result of hip or knee arthroplasty; post-fracture conditions; soft tissue damage; central or peripheral motor neuron damage; femoral or lower leg amputation. Results and discussion. The emphasis in the development of a methodology for training patients in walking with aids is the formulation of methodological guidelines from the point of view of the safety for the patient and the reduction of the risk of trauma during training (fall), considering the peculiarities of the characteristic of the main phases for building a new motor habit (generalization, concentration, automation).Conclusion. Compliance with the methodical instructions in training in walking with aids ensures the cyclical construction of a new motor habit and minimizes the influence of risk factors.

Investigation of Aged Individuals in the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake in Turkey

Author(s): Gül KADAN,Rıdvan KÜÇÜKALİ / Language(s): English Issue: 31/2023

Aged individuals, who are among the vulnerable individuals in society, constitute an important group that should be protected and protected. The underlying reason for this can be thought of as the physiological and psychological states of aged individuals. Under these considerations, it was aimed to determine what happened in the earthquake disaster, which was the epicenter of Kahramanmaraş Pazarcık and Elbistan on February 6, 2023, under the opinions of aged individuals. Phenomenological case design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. The study was conducted with 300 individuals over the age of 300 who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. 58.3% of the individuals participating in the research are male and 41.7% are female. 100% of them have encountered a disaster at some point in their lives, and 50% of these disasters have been pandemics. In the study, the data were collected with a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. At the end of the research, it was found that aged individuals were most anxious (n=300) and experienced anxiety (n=178), constantly watching television or reading the newspaper (n=180); In the 6 February earthquake, it was determined that they experienced the highest rate of willingness to help (n=300) and fear (n=290) and that they constantly watched television (n=300). In line with the results obtained from the research, it can be suggested that psychosocial support mechanisms should be effectively presented in the face of disasters, especially for older individuals.