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• Attitudes of Roma adults towards the care of their elderly relatives

  21-24

  Irén Godó

  Dalma Tóth

  Views:

  315

  Caring for the elderly is a challenge for any society even if it is a family or institution related issue (Bánlaki 2006). Numerous researches on the care of the elderly have been published, which help to make the care of the elderly as effective as possible (Djellal, Gallouj 2006). Within the framework of our research, we undertook to examine the attitudes (Arlotti, Aguilar-Hendrickson 2017) and experiences of the Roma towards elderly care.
  Our aim was to explore the opinions of adult Roma people on the topic, as well as to identify possible cultural peculiarities in this issue (Hajime et al 2006; Da Roit 2010; Kehusmaa et al. 2013; Szabóné 2018).

  Method:
  We have selected Roma adult people living in Budapest as our target group, most of them perform manual labour, who in the near future are likely to face the issue of caring for their elderly relatives or are already facing it in the capital. We have chosen this target group because there is a wide range of social services in the capital, and this gives us an insight into the confidence or lack of confidence in the social care system. The situation of the Roma elderly in the Hungarian social context is discussed with a nuanced approach based on Roma studies. The opinions and thoughts of 20 Roma adults are highlighted in our presentation, with whom we interviewed. We compiled a semi-structured set of questions for the target group. We tried to capture the attitude of the Roma towards elderly care along different dimensions (Allport, Lindzey 1960; Örkény, Vári 2009): individual responsibility (Nárai 2019) patterns of the family (Bánlaky 2001), financial and other resources (Bourdieu 1999) - assistance, trust in the social care system, readiness for elderly care (Heimlich 2008). Our research was carried out in November 2021 in compliance with the measures associated witht he COVID-19 situation. The interviews took 40-75 minutes long on average per person.
  We compare international trends within formation on elderly care in Hungary and data on the health status of elderly Roma in Hungary (Kodner, 2006).

  Results:
  The uniqueness of our research lies in the fact that we present the strategies of the Roma related to care in the Hungarian social reality, we identify practical problems and challenges, which can even be a breeding ground for future social policy measures (Schwiter et al. 2015). Poverty among the Roma, as well as discrimination and lower life expectancy compared to non-Roma (KSH, 2015) all contribute to the decision-making of Roma adults regarding the care of their elderly relatives, which is confirmed by the answers found in the interviews and the possibilities and strategies formed by the elderly care system (Kovács 2006). Our results showed that access to various social benefits, such as home help and public health care among others is affected during elderly care, and also has a key role to play, but also information among the Roma. In addition to trust in the social care system, financial means or lack of the influence coping strategies for elderly care. The results obtained can be used even for prevention projects aimed at local health preservation, or for any program aimed at improving the health status of the Roma.

  References
  Allport, G. W., Vernon, P. E., Lindzey, G. A. (1960): A study of values, 3rd ed., Boston, Houghton.Mifflin.
  Barbara Da Roit (2010): Strategies of Care. Changing Elderly Care in Italy and the Netherlands. Care and Welfare
  Bánlaky Pál (2001): Családszociológia. Wesley János Lelkészképző Főiskola, Budapest.
  Bánlaky Pál (2006): A család belső működése – A családon belüli kapcsolatok dinamikája. In: Czibere Ibolya (szek.) (2006): Családszociológia szöveggyűjtemény. Debrecen.
  Bourdieu, Pierre (1999): Gazdasági tőke, kulturális tőke, társadalmi tőke. In: Angelusz Róbert (szerk.): A társadalmi rétegződés komponensei. Budapest, Új Mandátum Könyvkiadó, 156-177.
  Faridah Djellal, Faïz Gallouj (2006): Innovation in care services for the elderly. The Service Industries Journal. Volume 26, 2006 - Issue 3
  Hajime Orimo,Hideki Ito,Takao Suzuki,Atsushi Araki,Takayuki Hosoi, Motoji Sawabe (2006): Reviewing the definition of “elderly”. Geriatrics Gerontology, Volume 6, Issue 3 149-158.
  Helmich K. (2008): A generativitás fogalma és a nemzedékek egymásrahatása. In: Gyáni G., Láng M. (szerk.): Generációk a történelemben. Hajnal István Kör – Társadalomtörténeti Egyesülete és a Nyíregyházi Főiskola Gazdasági Társadalomtudományi Kara, Nyíregyháza (2008) 115-120.
  Karin Schwiter, Christian Berndt, Jasmine Truong (2015): Neoliberal austerity and the marketisation of elderly care. Social & Cultural Geography Volume 19, 2018 - Issue 3: Placing care in times of austerity
  Kodner, D., and C. Spreeuwenberg. 2002. “Integrated Care: Meaning, Logic, Applications and
  Implications – A Discussion Paper.” International Journal of Integrated Care Vol. 2 (October-December).
  Kovács Éva (2006): Mari ésaz ő „cigánysága” – avagy a narratíva helye és ereje az etnicitás kutatásában. Tabula, 2006 9 (I):41-52.
  KSH Statisztikai Tükör (2015). A hazai nemzetiségek demográgiai jellemzői. https://www.ksh.hu/docs/hun/xftp/stattukor/nemzetiseg_demografia.pdf (Utolsó letöltés ideje: 2021. 11. 03.)
  Marco Arlotti, Manuel Aguilar-Hendrickson (2017): The vicious layering of multilevel governance in Southern Europe: The case of elderly care in Italy and Spain. Social Policy Administration, Volume52, Issue3, May 2018, 646-661.
  Margaret McAdam (2008): Frameworks of Integrated Care for the Elderly: A Systematic Review. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
  Nárai Márta (2019): A lokális társadalmi szerepvállalás, felelősségvállalás szereplői – egyesületek, alapítványok a helyi közösségek/helyi társadalom szolgálatában, Ünnepi tanulmánykötet a 70 éves Gáspár Mátyás tiszteletére, Magánkiadás, 151-161.
  Örkény Antal – Vári István: Szempontok és kérdőjelek a magyarországi roma kisebbség tanulmányozásához. Fundamentum, 2009. 2. szám, 5-15.
  Sari Kehusmaa, Ilona Autti-Rämö, Hans Helenius, Pekka Rissanen (2013): Does informal care reduce public care expenditure on elderly care? Estimates based on Finland’s Age Study. BMC Health Services Research 13, 317.
  Szabóné dr. Kármán Judit (2018): A magyarországi cigány/roma népesség kulturantropológiai és orvosantropológiai megközelítésben. Romológiai füzetek 2. DRHE, Debrecen, 5-76.

• The Social Faces of Elderly Poverty in Hungary

  Katalin Talyigás

  Views:

  177

  Elderly poverty in Hungary is an increasingly important social issue, extending far beyond income deficiency to encompass multiple deprivations: material deprivation, health deterioration, housing insecurity, digital disadvantages, weakening social connections, and loneliness, particularly affecting women, rural dwellers, singles, and those with low education levels.

  The study aims to present the forms of elderly poverty, contributing social factors (e.g., effects of the regime change, life-course disruptions, declining family support), and to examine how local, community, and professional policy interventions can mitigate risks, ensuring a dignified, secure, and participation-based old age.

  The analysis employs a descriptive-analytical approach, processing domestic (KSH, 2024) and international (Eurostat, 2024; Eurofound, 2022) statistics, literature (e.g., Albert & Dávid, 2019; Walker & Zaidi, 2020), and case studies (e.g., an elderly woman in a panel apartment making daily sacrifices), integrated with EU legal frameworks (Charter of Fundamental Rights).

  20.3% of those aged 65+ face poverty or exclusion risk (EU average: 17.2%), severe deprivation at 9% (EU: <5%), over 430,000 receive <140,000 HUF/month pension; low digital usage (35-40%, EU: 65%), poor health indicators (5.3-6.5 healthy years); these accumulate to reinforce hidden poverty: deferred medications, social withdrawal, stress, and isolation.

  Responses must be multi-level: developing community programs (clubs, volunteer networks), digital competency training (courses, helper programs), targeted supports (housing, utilities), health preservation (prevention, age-friendly settlements), and local data collection to recognize invisible poverty and strengthen social cohesion.

• Social service delivery for senior citizens in rural Philippines and secrets to longevity of Apo Whang-od

  2-14

  Climson L. Balangue

  Views:

  1355

  Access to social services such as healthcare, transportation, and financial support can be limited, leaving many elderly individuals vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion. This paper examined the recent elderly demographics, status of social service delivery, the roles of traditional and cultural practices, and specific challenges faced by older persons in rural areas, using the case of Apo Whang-od and her community, Buscalan that is in the municipality of Tinglayan, Province of Kalinga, Philippines. Using a mixed methods approach, this paper revealed that almost 11% of Tinglayan’s population is elderly, mostly indigenous people with a relatively low literacy rate, and low-income earners who are engaged mostly in subsistence farming and small-scale traditional craft making. Also, there are substantial government programs and services offered by existing laws; however, access to these is challenged by limited access to education and healthcare services, with long travel distances and a lack of transportation being major barriers. Financial difficulties were also observed, with no or few having access to social security benefits and reasonable amounts of pensions. The challenges can also be attributed to an unfavorable geographical location, conflicts with neighboring tribes, limited local government funds, lack of knowledge, and inadequate social service centers within the locality. Tinglayan’s cultural values were also found to play a pivotal role in supplementing the scarce social services by fostering a supportive atmosphere for the elderly. Analysing Apo-Whag-od's longevity, it was revealed that she lived a longer life because she ate organic and locally sourced food, slept well, laughed a lot, engaged in regular physical activity, nurtured her spiritual well-being, built strong relationships with her family and community, and kept a positive outlook. In conclusion, social demographics shows that elderlies in rural areas are disadvantaged, which calls for more efficient and effective access, delivery, and availability of social services. Moreover, policymakers are enjoined to accelerate social infrastructures, expand social protection programs, and support intergenerational solidarity and resilience and cultural preservation. Lastly, Apo Whang-od’s legacy lives on. Her popularity not only gained revitalization of the Kalinga tattoo culture, but it also inspired people to follow her steps to longer and happier way of life.

• Barriers of Accessing Elderly Care Services in Bangladesh

  81

  Masud Rana

  Views:

  159

  Approximately one in ten persons in Bangladesh is over 60 years old and it is estimated that this figure will increase to 21.5% in 2050. This huge proportion of the population often faces barriers in terms of accessing elderly care services.

• Hungarian Gerontology 15 (42) 2023 Full Issue

  Views:

  47

  Dear Reader!
  
  Eleven papers covering various aspects of geriatrics and gerontology can be found in the 42nd regular issue of Hungarian Gerontology 2023. Three of the papers - one on senior care in the Philippines, one on the AGE Barometer's critical analysis, and our editorial board member Katalin Papp's presentation of the HOMeAge international project from the perspective of the reference group of older people -were published in English.
  
  Among the Hungarian contributions, several deal with the psychological aspects of ageing. For those interested, I recommend the papers of Anna Ferwagner and Lilla Kegyes.
  
  The issue includes a health science piece titled "Skincare for the elderly and massage," as well as several investigations with a social science focus. Mónika Fontanini presented and analysed the Italian dementia plan and dementia-friendly initiatives, while Dalma Tóth provided an insightful publication of what it means to age in cyberspace. The notion of elder abuse is presented in a paper, and the risk of poverty among seniors and those living on a low pension is examined in another analysis.  
  
  We would also like to draw the attention of the reader to our Conference to be held in 2024, the call for which is already available on the University of Debrecen Conference and Events website. We are looking forward to welcoming you as a speaker or participant at the International Scientific Conference on Gerontology Days 2024 on 10 October in Hungarian and on the International Conference Day on 11 October in English!   You can register for our Conference on the website. As in 2023, we hope to organise our 2024 Conference as an accredited professional meeting (in the social and health field).
  
  On behalf of the Editorial Board:
  
  László Patyán Editor-in-Chief