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Three main questions are asked in the paper. Firstly: how has the sense of ‘life satisfaction’ and happiness of Poles changed over the period of twenty years between 1991 and 2011? During this period Poland has experienced substantial growth of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, but is Polish society becoming happier and more satisfied with life? Secondly: what is the level of subjective well-being individuals commonly perceived as losers (older, poorly educated and unemployed) in comparison with people who objectively appear to be winners (well-educated, in low middle age, employed)? Thirdly: how has the subjective well-being of unemployed, older and poorly educated people changed during this twenty year period between 1991 and 2011? Some authors suggest that because happiness became something everybody want, it is a core value of society, and it lays the basis for our modern welfare state. Because happiness represents an individual right, individual and societal aim, it is crucial to discover and scrutinise relations between the individual level of happiness, and the impact on it resulting from a variety of factors. It might be true that simple application of happiness economics to policy making would be unreasonable. But still if we agree that happiness constitutes a good life for individuals and thereby also a good society, it is important to collect, analyse and include this type of information for the purpose of policy making.
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Silver economy is a broad concept incorporating many different fields of investigation. All of them arise from the needs of the aging world population and the concurrent need to comply with economic sustainability, but otherwise have very specific characteristics and implications. Recent academic findings suggest that in the context of architecture, not enough attention is paid to the user perspective, concerning the increasingly older population. At the same time, architectural quality and long-term performance of housing objects are becoming more and more dependent on the needs of the elderly, who rightfully expect to grow old in a caring environment, including adjusted living premises. By applying scientific analysis, synthesis, and comparison of data from relevant secondary sources, this paper aims to investigate key trends regarding architecture as part of the silver economy. In addition to that, the intention has been to generate recommendations that would enable having a quality, active living even within the aging society. Findings suggest that the silver economy in architecture is conceptually elaborated but still rather a marginal scheme in real life. However, a multidisciplinary approach in terms of integrating architectural and space efforts with smart technology conveniences emerges as the direction of future research as well as practice. Limitations of this study are primarily financial concerns and prerequisites that have not been appreciated enough while evaluating the need for silver architecture investments.
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For today’s workers, the process of aging will differ from previous generations. Social contracts among governments, employers, and individuals are central to retirement systems around the world. Today, throughout their lifetime, individuals are more responsible for their finances than ever before. Financial markets are rapidly changing with developments in technology and new and more complex financial products. Skills are becoming more critical and it is important to understand whether people are equipped to effectively navigate the maze of financial decisions that they face every day. Generous defined social security benefit pension plans are diminishing, as life expectancy and the need for self-funded retirement savings are increasing. In this paper, the author presents the results of the research conducted in the region of Slavonia related to retirement literacy and understanding of the financial behavior of the population of teachers that work in schools. The questionnaire was based on the Big Three financial and retirement literacy measurement and The Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey. The goal of the research is to compare the results to similar research studies and to find out financial understanding and the need for organizing retirement literacy education for teachers’ population in the region of Slavonia.
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The majority of European countries are witnessing a population aging process for several decades. This trend is rapidly transforming the age structure of society, resulting in a declining share of working-age persons in the total population. During the next three decades, the number of older people is projected to follow an upward trend. Population aging has resulted primarily from a long-term fall in fertility rates and increased life expectancy. The growing number of older people (65+) within society leads to a range of economic challenges, such as pressure on economic growth, reduced labor supply, higher social and healthcare costs, etc. Such negative processes call into question the sustainability of public finances. Namely, assuming that the old-age dependency ratio will continue to rise, a shrinking labor force may no longer be able to provide enough earnings for pensions and healthcare systems. One of the major areas of concern for policymakers is the cost of providing adequate health and long-term care, as very old people consume proportionally more social services than other age groups. Demographic trends of population aging in Croatia are rather similar to other EU Member States. As the issue of population aging is very important, it is often present in scientific literature and theory and therefore it should be at least equally important to economic policymakers. The main analysis in the chapter includes the relation between population aging and potential pressure on the size of the workforce and the financial challenges of our social systems. Because the share of older people (65+) differs between the EU Member States, the regional analysis in the context of the median age of the population in each of the EU-28 Member States is provided. Furthermore, the overall scores of the Active Aging Index (AAI) for EU-28 are presented, showing a regional aspect of population aging. The chapter also explains potential financial products and services which can support solving the aforementioned social and economic problems based on the analysis of contemporary financial systems, techniques, and mechanism, etc., which should be implemented in the countries under study.
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The issue of organ donation and transplantation is, in the first place, an issue of medical excellence of transplantation teams, but also a controversial issue with doubtful bioethical, legal, cultural, religious, and other questions. Since medical research are improving constantly, research in the field of organ transplantation is setting new interesting (bio) ethical and legal questions. According to the last population census, there are approximately one million inhabitants in the Republic of Croatia who are older than 60 years and who are also more likely to be on the organ transplantation candidate’s list than the younger inhabitants, because of the various health problems of the aging process. Also, according to research, the median age of 150 patients on chronic dialysis at the Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek is 65.5 years. Since bioethics is a scientific discipline that studies all issues related to life itself, organ transplantation and aging are some of the crucial fields of the human aspect of bioethics. By connecting these two issues, this chapter aims to expound the main (bio)ethical and legal problems of organ donation and transplantation and put them into the context of the issue of aging in the Republic of Croatia. The main questions that may arise are what the main problems of older people are when it comes to organ donation and transplantation, whether they are aware of them and if there is any kind of age discrimination in the process of organ allocation. The author will try to point out these and other bioethical questions when it comes to aging and organ donation and transplantation, and also set a new scheme of awareness in relation to this issue.
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Media literacy has been recognized in European Union documents related to audiovisual and media policy as an essential factor in the modern information society, with commitment to education on this issue at all levels. However, most education programs are focused on preschool and school-age, while at the same time, some recent research shows that people over 65 are the ones who, for various reasons (primarily, ignorance), spread most misinformation or fake news via social networks. This research seeks to gain insight into the extent to which third-person consumers are media consumers, what the forms of media are they are most in touch with, and to what extent they can distinguish informative media content from covert marketing advertising. It also seeks to gain insight into the aftermath of a generation of passive media consumers with modern media technology that offers a proactive approach to participation and information formation for the masses and to answer the question as to how much they create and shape information through social networks and communication platforms. The research is conducted on a representative sample of third-age media content consumers through questionnaires and in-depth interviews, and the analysis of the results obtained aims at determining their media knowledge, experiences, habits, and insights.
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According to statistics for the European Union (EU), the European population age structure is expected to change significantly. Long-term projections for the EU indicate a substantial increase in the share of people aged 65 and above. Due to higher life expectancy and fertility rate decrease, the EU faces a decline in the working-age population and growing demand for social and health services. According to Eurostat, the share of the very elderly population (80 and over) in the Republic of Croatia will be more than double in 2070 compared to 2019. The total population of the country will decrease to 3 million inhabitants. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of measures planned in the Croatian National Development Strategy (CNDS) for the period 2021-2030 related to the said issues. The fundamental question is how to achieve a sustainable pension system and public finances in such circumstances. The findings and recommendations may be used for policy suggestions to relevant institutions to create adequate solutions for our citizens.
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Numerous studies confirm the connection between a national economy level of development and the achieved standard of living. Furthermore, life standard affects the demographic structure - natural increase, migration balance, and life expectancy. Although European trends are in line with the trends of other developed economies, the paper considers demographic projections based on selected EU-27 countries, with an emphasis on insight into the demographic projections of Central and Eastern European Countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia). Changes in the population structure are significant, regardless of the development level - where developed countries do have higher rates of aging changes. The said causes are defined by improved living conditions, planning in the number of family members seen by reducing natural increase and migration balance changes. Therefore, this chapter highlights specific statistics on population projections in the Central and Eastern European countries, compared with the achievements of EU-27 countries. Besides, attention is placed on examples of active participation of the elderly as an indicator of the solidarity degree and the impact of active aging on the labor market and a phased transition to retirement.
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Demographically, Europe is getting older. According to EPRS data published in 2019 and a comparison of the population structure in 2001 and 2017, an increase in the population over 45 is visible, which indicates an almost increase in pension beneficiaries. This paper aims to analyze aging and retirement differences between European countries from the SHARE data (Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe) project. The analysis will use secondary data from the SHARE project collected from interviews in 26 European countries, conducted in 7 waves from 2004 to 2017. The focus of this research will be on Wave 7. Data will be analyzed via IBM SPSS 23.0, using univariate and bivariate statistical analysis methods. Based on the analysis, it will be possible to compare the perception of the elderly population of the European countries, based on which it can be concluded which country is coping well with the aging of its population. The authors suggest further similar research of the same type in the Republic of Croatia.
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The paper examines the state policy of the Russian Federation and Central Asian countries in the field of supporting the aging and retired population, analyzes the dependency ratio in the Russian Federation and Central Asian countries, and provides predictions referring to changes in the demographic structure of the labor force in the context of labor migration. The paper includes prediction indicators of the dynamics of labor migration processes of the population in the retirement age from Central Asian countries, considering the current trends of demographic change, and explores the impact of labor migration processes of persons of retirement age on the economic growth in the context of economic and social globalization.
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Purpose: The aim of the study is to present the concept of the silver economy and basic solutions in the field of gerontechnology utilised in senior housing, as well as to depict the situation in commercial retirement homes in Poland in terms of the use of devices related to gerontechnology. Design/methodology/approach: The author has conducted literature studies in the field of demography, the concept of the silver economy and gerontechnology. Additionally, an empirical study has been carried out with the use of a standardised questionnaire. The research population consisted of institutions providing round-the-clock care for disabled, chronically ill or elderly people. These institutions operate as part of business activity or paid statutory activity from at least January 1, 2017, with minimum 75% of the total population being people aged 65 and older. Findings: The sector of private retirement homes in Poland takes advantage of technological solutions to improve the quality of life of residents and the level of services provided. However, the catalogue of existing solutions is significantly limited and used primarily to support and monitor health. Solutions for the automation and control of the home environment are applied to a small extent, and the use of solutions for the exchange of information and recreation is marginal. Originality and value: The demographic changes taking place in Poland, as well as the growing costs of supporting older population groups and meeting their diverse needs may raise concerns about the productivity of the economy, its competitiveness and the condition of public finances. However, the existing scientific studies and foreign experience allow to conclude that if the silver economy is considered as a field of strategic activities, the existing threats can be perceived as opportunities. Gerontechnology is a vital element of this economy, and modern technological solutions aimed at seniors are an inherent and increasingly popular element of senior housing and will become one of the basic directions for improving the real estate market.
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The fast technological improvements, sustainable growth and development of the world economy have led to what has become a fundamental determinant of the modern, hectic way of life, known as the lifestyle of the 21st century. In such context, people’s expectations are increasing, and they are always seeking for the new opportunities; however, many are often failing to take a break from every day’s haste and stress. Young people often do not have time for their private and business obligations, and thus for activism and caring for society. Scientist in technical and architectural sciences, Mr. sc. Marina Šimunić, finds that only 5% of young people are socially engaged in the Republic of Croatia. This research finds the main reason for such a low interest in social activities and lack of initiative for changes is the fact that youth accept their community as it is. Decreased involvement of young people in social actions has becoming more evident in Croatia especially, when an average of 30,000 young people a year have migrated in the period from 2015 to 2020.
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In this final chapter, we aim to interpret the findings presented in the individual chapters of the book within the theoretical frame outlined in Chapter 1. We assess the main findings regarding the current development of childcare and eldercare policies in the Czech Republic and Norway, the discourses of the policy actors in both countries, and the strategies and views of families that are providing and ensuring care for children and elderly persons. Lastly, we discuss some possibilities for policy changes or innovations that might facilitate the combination of family care with paid employment.
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People who are physically alone in their old age may experience problems in terms of both psychological and physical health. Studies on the subject show that loneliness increases with age (Pinquart & Sorensen, 2001; Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010). Therefore, it is inevitable for elderly individuals to want to engage in various activities in order to evaluate the periods when they are alone. It is thought that the beginning of digitalization in all areas of life and the increase in the use of smart devices are more common especially among individuals who are alone. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction and loneliness in geriatric, in other words, elderly individuals. Interviews were conducted with 8 elderly individuals via smartphones, both on Instagram, which is a social media environment, and WhatsApp, which is a phone chat application. At the same time, they became friends with these people on their WhatsApp and Instagram accounts and their profiles were examined in detail for 30 days. In order to make analysis based on gender, 4 individuals were selected as male and 4 individuals as female. At the same time, these interviews were made through certain periods and at the same time, the time intervals they spent on their smart phones were tried to be determined.
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In recent years, the concept of successful aging, which means living in a healthy, productive, safe environment with a high quality of life, having a good social environment, and having a state of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being throughout life, has become important for all individuals. In the literature, there are many variables and studies in different areas associated with successful aging. There are many factors that affect successful aging, such as social support, mental and physical health, general health status, and life activities. The concept of social support, which has an important place among these factors, has been examined within the scope of this study. Within the scope of the study, it was aimed to raise awareness about the contribution of social support to the level of successful aging. In this context, the concepts of social support and successful aging, its scope and theoretical basis were examined, studies on social support and successful aging were mentioned, and the relationship between social support and successful aging was explained. The results of the research were examined and supported by the literature. The results consistently show that higher levels of social support improve people's psychological and physiological health and have a positive effect on successful aging. No study has been found in the domestic literature that associates social support with successful aging. In this context, it is aimed to contribute to the literature.
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Sukobi uvijek ostavljaju složene izazove koji zahtijevaju učešće različitih aktera/ica. Pojedinci/ke, čiji su glasovi marginalizirani, moraju učestvovati u razvijanju održivih rješenja kako bi poslijeratne politike odražavale raznolikost perspektiva i znanja. Istraživanja pokazuju da je uloga žena od ključnog značaja za uspjeh izgradnje mira, ali one su još uvijek nedovoljno zastupljene u ovim procesima. Međunarodno prepoznavanje različitih iskustava žena i različitog stupnja njihove ranjivosti tokom i nakon rata, te globalno priznavanje njihove uloge u izgradnji mira (Pratt & Richter-Devroe 2011: 489-503; Strickland & Duvvury 2003; Greenburg & Zuckerman 2006) doveli su do uspostavljanja međunarodnog okvira politika kojima se žele uključiti i podržati žene pogođene sukobom. Na primjer, tokom sukoba na Zapadnom Balkanu u središte pažnje međunarodne javnosti je dospjela sistemska upotreba seksualnog nasilja kao oružja rata, te rodna specifičnost iskustva u svim fazama sukoba. Iskustva žena u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH) potakla su usvajanje Rezolucije Vijeća sigurnosti UN-a (UNSCR) 1325, kao i kasnije osnivanje Programa UN-a za žene, mir i sigurnost (WPS) koji predstavlja okosnicu savremenih poslijeratnih politika i programa za žene.
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The discrepancy between the world’s economic and demographic performance dates back decades. The mismatch between population and economic growth has developed through globalization. The oldest theoretical directions and doctrines sought a rational explanation, but the problem became more and more complex over time. The basic premise of the paper is that demographic structure affects GDP. Furthermore, this impact varies from country to country and over several related years. A comparative analysis of selected countries/regions will show what the relationships are between economic and demographic performance. Measuring and evaluating this as accurately as possible is important to draw the right conclusions and adequate messages. Various demographic indicators were compared under different conditions and by structure. At the same time, their relationships with economic parameters were analyzed through their linear regression relationship using econometric analysis. The conclusions of the paper may be useful for creating socioeconomic policies in the future.
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The world population is getting older, and many retiring people face the dilemma of what to do now that they are still in good health and can still do something for themselves and society. Many retired people are considering starting ventures as senior entrepreneurs because of their skills, knowledge, and personal networks. At the same time, however, they face various disadvantages. Senior entrepreneurship is seen to extend the working lives of older people and provide additional financial resources in retirement. The topic of senior entrepreneurship is gaining research interest in academic society, and we find that there are more and more studies on senior entrepreneurs and senior entrepreneurship. The results show a variety of definitions and terms, problems in operationalizing the silver entrepreneur concept, and a lack of data on the age of entrepreneurial groups. The available data shows that senior-age entrepreneurship is increasing worldwide, but the number varies from country to country. Based on the literature review on senior entrepreneurs and senior entrepreneurship, several additional questions emerged that could (need to) be explored concerning Croatia and globally.
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Researching the shopping behavior of older consumers (65 years and older) is important because this population segment is expected to grow in the coming years. Understanding their preferences and challenges will help businesses adapt and meet the needs of this important consumer group. Older consumers may have different needs and preferences than younger consumers, such as a preference for brick-and-mortar stores over online shopping and a desire for knowledgeable and helpful sales staff. They may also have issues such as limited mobility and difficulty with technology. By understanding these preferences and challenges, companies can improve the shopping experience for older consumers, increasing their loyalty and boosting sales. In addition, addressing older consumers’ needs can positively impact the community and society as a whole. Specific information about research on the shopping behavior of older consumers in Croatia is scarce. However, reviewing previous studies and articles on the shopping behavior of older consumers in other countries and regions may provide relevant information that could be applied to the Croatian context.
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