scholarly journals Dying old: and preferably alone? Agency, resistance and dissent at the end of life

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Kellehear
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Policy Analysis ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Popular Literature ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Negative Consequences

Older people who die alone are commonly portrayed negatively in the academic and popular literature. Dying alone is viewed either as an outcome of anti-social behaviour or the result of family, neighbourhood or social services neglect. The idea that people may be exercising agency, resistance or dissent at the end of life and that they do not want attention from services or the wider community receives little or no consideration. By comparing the community and professional views with those of the elderly about end of life preferences, this paper argues that the academic and community image of the elderly as ’’victims’’ has eclipsed the usual ability to see this group in pluralist terms. This stereotype of older people who die alone has negative consequences for sociological and policy analysis.

Legal Framework for Regulating the Protection of the Rights of Older People: The Case of Kazakhstan

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Serikhan ADYLGAZY ◽  
Kanat KOZHABEK ◽  
Zhazira OMIRALI ◽  
Galym TELEUYEV ◽  
Ainur DARHANBAYEVA
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Political Transformations ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
State Programs

The rapid aging of the population and the constant increase in life expectancy throughout the world is one of the greatest socio-economic and political transformations of our time. This article discusses the preparation of an integrated system to address the challenges of protecting the rights of older people. Also, based on the study of scientific works of foreign and domestic scientists on protecting the rights of older people at the international level and taking into account international standards and the implementation of international human rights treaties, analysis of the compliance of national legislation with international standards, an in-depth analysis of the legal powers of state bodies and other organizations of Kazakhstan related to protecting the rights of senior citizens. Insufficient attention in the field of domestic science is paid to the protection of the rights of the elderly. In addition, there are no state programs aimed at improving the protection of the rights of the elderly or addressing the problems of an aging population, and no relevant measures have been taken. The experience of foreign countries in the field of protecting the rights of elderly people is diverse, using it to improve the mechanism of legal regulation and the sphere of social services of Kazakhstan, we propose to put in place good aspects. However, taking into account the differences associated with legal and economic conditions, it is very important to implement in accordance with the legal system of the country.  

Caught between two fronts: successful aging in the time of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-280
Author(s):  
Lukas Richter ◽  
Theresa Heidinger
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge for older people both in terms of the severity of the disease and the negative consequences of social distancing. Assumptions about negative effects on the lives of the elderly, affecting dimensions of successful aging (such as the preservation of social relationships), have thus far been hypothetical and have lacked empirical evidence. The aim of this paper is to shed empirical light on the effects of COVID-19 on the everyday life of older people against the background of the concept of successful aging. Design/methodology/approach Data of a standardized, representative telephone survey with residents of Lower Austria, a county of Austria, were used for this secondary analysis. The sample included 521 persons of 60 years of age and older. For this paper, contingency analyses (χ² coefficients, z-tests using Bonferroni correction) and unidimensional correlational analyses were calculated. Findings The empirical data show that successful aging along the three dimensions of successful aging is a challenge in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic – leaving the elderly caught between two fronts. Originality/value The present work focusses on a unique moment in time, describing the changes to the lives of Austrian elderly because of the social distancing measures imposed to protect against the spread of COVID-19. These changes are discussed in the theoretical framework of successful aging.

Vouchers and Consumer-Directed Care: Implications for Community Care Services in Hong Kong

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing Shan Kan ◽  
Ernest Chui
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Community Care ◽  
Care Service ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Interview Method ◽  
Care Services

Abstract There has been considerable interest in the concept of consumer-directed care (CDC) for ageing populations. One type of CDC employs vouchers that older people can use to procure a panel of social services that best fits their needs. The voucher-based strategy has been institutionalised in Hong Kong as the Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly (CCSV). Using a qualitative, semi-structured interview method, researchers probed the experiences of two groups (twenty-six CCSV users and twenty-seven CCSV non-users) with the voucher programme between March 2014 and September 2015 during the first phase of CCSV. The interviews revealed a set of social and institutional supports needed to empower clients to effectively utilise the voucher. These supports (or forms of capital) were consistently present amongst active CCSV users and deficient amongst non-users. The research demonstrates that instituting a voucher does not, by itself, lead to optimised choices but, rather, that a network of institutional and social resources must be assembled in support of the voucher programme. In some instances, a case management approach may be needed, as older people (and family) need to combine different forms of institutional and social support to comprehend the voucher programme and utilise it for their particular needs.

scholarly journals Institutul Național de Cercetări Economice, Chișinău, Republica Moldova

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Buciuceanu-Vrabie ◽  
Tatiana Tabac
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Social Risks ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual

Articolul se focusează pe evaluarea situației persoanelor în vârstă din Republica Moldova în contextul pandemiei COVID-19. Prin diagnosticarea socială a deschiderii structurale, instituționale, comunitare și inter-generaționale la nevoile acestei categorii de populație, se evidențiază provocările pandemice cu care aceasta se confruntă. Metodologia cercetării are la bază rezultatele studiului calitativ, realizat în lunile august−septembrie 2020 și aprilie−mai 2021 cu persoanele vârstnice, reprezentanții administrației publice locale și asistenții sociali. Prin constatări argumentate empiric, în articol sunt actualizate principalele dificultăți parvenite în contextul pandemiei și profunzimea impactului social asupra persoanelor în vârstă la nivel comunitar. Pe lângă riscul direct asupra stării de sănătate fizică, excluderea și discriminarea persoanelor în vârstă s-a accentuat în timpul pandemiei COVID-19, s-a evidențiat riscul sporit de violență și neglijare, și cazurile de stigmatizare la nivel comunitar. Resursele individuale/ familiale ale persoanelor vârstnice, în special în cazul infectării cu COVID-19 și a tratamentului, au jucat un rol important în depășirea crizei. Consecințele COVID-19 se asociază cu agravarea stării de sănătate a persoanelor vârstnice și creșterea necesarului de în servicii medicale. Atitudinile „age-iste” au loc și în perioada după carantină, subminând drepturile persoanelor vârstnice la servicii de calitate. Astfel, se accentuează necesitatea monitorizării continue a situației și combaterii atitudinilor „age-iste” în perioada post pandemie. Cuvinte-cheie: COVID-19; populația în vârstă; studiul calitativ; riscuri sociale; accesul la serviciile sociale; izolare, violență. ●●●●● The paper focuses on assessing the situation of older persons in the Republic of Moldova, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The social diagnosis of the structural, institutional, community and intergenerational openness to the needs of this category of population highlights the pandemic challenges it faces. The methodology of the study is based on the results of the qualitative study conducted in August−September 2020 and April−May 2021 with the older people, local public administration and social workers. Through empirically reasoned findings, the paper updates the main difficulties encountered in the context of the pandemic and the depth of the social impact on the older people at community level. In addition to the direct risk to physical health, the exclusion and discrimination of the older people increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased risk of violence and neglect, and cases of stigma at community level. The individual/family resources of the older people, especially in the case of COVID-19 infection and treatment, have played an important role in overcoming the crisis. The consequences of COVID-19 are associated with a worsening of the health of the elderly and an increase in the need for medical services. “Ageist” attitudes also occurred in the post-quarantine period, undermining the rights of older people to quality services. Thus, the need for continuous monitoring of the situation and combating "ageist" attitudes in the post-pandemic period is emphasized. Keywords: COVID-19, older adults, qualitative study, social risks, access to social services, isolation, violence.

scholarly journals HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE AS THE BASIS FOR FORMATION OF MEDICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 658-664
Author(s):  
Tetiana S. Gruzieva ◽  
Mykhаilo D. Diachuk ◽  
Hanna V. Inshakova ◽  
Ivan M. Soroka ◽  
Vasyl A. Dufynets
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Medical Activity ◽  
Economic Determinants ◽  
Low Level

The aim: The identification and determination of needs that the population of older age groups have in medical and social services on the basis of health data and the results of a survey. Material and methods: Because of bibliographic, epidemiological, medical-statistical, analytical methods the research has investigated the problems of healthy aging, tendencies in population health of the population of Ukraine of senior age groups during 2000-2017, features and tendencies of health of a sample contingent of urban population of elderly age according to appeals in health care facilities during 2009-2019. The use of the sociological method, the self-evaluation of elderly people of their own health, characteristics of lifestyle and medical activity are determined, the needs of older people in medical and social services were assessed. Results: Negative tendencies to increase during 2000-2017 the prevalence of pathology among the population older than working age by 22.8%, including blood diseases in 2 times, endocrine system – in 1.8 times, urogenital system – by 1.5 times, digestive organs – by 1.4 times, tumors and nervous system – by 1.3 times. Among the urban elderly population, the prevalence of sensory diseases, including ear and eye diseases, endocrine disorders, injuries and poisonings, has increased, and mental health indicators have deteriorated. The sociological survey found a low level of self-esteem (31.5±3.5 per 100 had health problems, 10.1±2.3 are significant). Self-medication was practiced by 76.4±3.2 per 100 respondents, 74.2±3.3 were not followed or they violated the doctor's recommendations. 56.2 ±3.7 per 100 respondents had physical examinations in the non-right time 29.7±3.4 had not it. There was a significant prevalence of risk factors, including hypodynamics (21.9±3.1 per 100), tobacco use (29.8±3.4), malnutrition (37.1±3.6), overweight (obesity) (32, 6±3.5), arterial hypertension (37.6±3.6), hypercholesterolemia (28.7±3.4), glucosemia 16.3±2.8). The research has discovered the needs of older people in health care and social services, inter alia in preventive counseling (65.2±3.6 per 100), the introduction of electronic technologies in health care (68.5±3.5), information educational services on health issues (67.4±3.5), provision of services in hospitals at home (66.3±3.5), in increasing the availability of rehabilitation (43.8±3.7), specialized counseling (34.3±3.6) and emergency medical care (16.2±2.8), improvement of socio-economic determinants (78.0±3.1), introduction of activities (48.3±3.7), joint training programs for older people (42.1±3.7), the development of certain skills, the use of technical means, assistive devices (67.4±3.5), the formation of a conducive to better health environment (58, 4±3.7). Conclusions: The low level of the elderly people's health, the tendency to increase the burden of disease, the prevalence of risk factors for disease and low medical activity lead to significant needs for medical and social services of preventive, treatment-diagnostic, rehabilitation, improving socio-economic determinants, measures to reduce social isolation.

scholarly journals Problems of continuing education of senior people

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Ekaterina A. Ermakova
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Continuing Education ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third ◽  
Demographic Aging

The increase in life expectancy and the share of the elderly population are the main demographic trends in the world and Russia. They actualize the need to find ways to prevent and overcome the negative consequences for society of demographic aging of the population. One of them is the inclusion of representatives of the "third age" in the system of continuing education. Thanks to it, older people can easily adapt to the changes that are taking place in all areas of modern society. At the same time, inclusion in continuing education contributes not only to the continuation of the work of older people, but also creates conditions for maintaining the intellectual, aesthetic, moral and civic level provided by self-education or through institutionalized mechanisms of formal education. This article summarizes the realized and the experience of foreign and Russian practices of teaching the elderly, studied the degree of their readiness to continue learning, analyzes issues and trends of continuing education representatives of the «third age», revealed the motives that drive them to continue to learn and barriers to formal and informal education.

FEATURES OF SOCIALIZATION OF OLDER PEOPLE IN MODERN SOCIETY

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
A. E. BIRYUKOV ◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Aging Society ◽  
Older Citizens ◽  
Constructive Interaction

The article is devoted to the problem of socialization of older citizens in an aging society. Based on a statistical analysis, the article identifies the basic problems of socialization of the elderly in Russia, the directions of the state strategy in the context of the socio-economic crisis for the development of a system of social services for the older generation, improving their quality of life and active longevity. It was found that the most intensive socialization occurs in the process of providing social and social and medical services. It was determined that for the successful socialization of older people, the importance of services related to maintaining healthy and socially active longevity, organizing everyday life and leisure, constructive interaction with relatives is high.

Historical and medical aspects of the organization of medical and social services for the elderly and senile people in Russia in the late XX — early XXI centuries

2020 ◽  
pp. 49-57
Author(s):  
Lyudmila Kaspruk
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Geriatric Service ◽  
Delivery Of Medical Care ◽  
Older Citizens

When analyzing the historical and medical aspects of the organization of medical and social services for the elderly and senile people in Russia in the late XX — early XXI centuries not only obvious achievements in this sphere, but also a number of problems requiring solution were identified. The primary role in the delivery of medical care to geriatric patients is assigned to the primary health care sector. However the work of the geriatric service in the format of a single system for the provision of long-term medical and social care based on the continuity of patient management between differ- ent levels of the health care system and between the health and social protection services is not well organized. There is no clear coordination and interaction between health care and social protection institutions, functions of which include providing care to older citizens, and it significantly reduces the effectiveness of the provision of both medical and social services.

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