Hungarian Gerontology, 2024. 16. (43.) - full text

The methods, mechanisms, and plans for international health cooperation are still vague. However, many studies have confirmed that political affairs have great impacts on health bodies and organizations. Accordingly, the current study focuses on a special case which is the 13-year Syrian crisis, under the semi-collapse of the health system, foreign sanctions, and the unprecedented high demand for public health services. Hence, the problem can be expressed by the following question: Has health cooperation contributed to achieving social results during the Syrian crisis period under the increasing demand for health services? On the other hand, the study aimed to illustrate the reality of health cooperation (global, macro, micro) in the Syrian government areas, which suffer from external sanctions. Moreover, it aims to study, analyze, and predict the demand for health services in Syria (Latakia (using artificial intelligence models represented by the Facebook profit model and illustrating the social consequences of health cooperation in these areas. However, the descriptive analytical approach was used and artificial intelligence models were applied to analyze and predict data using Python. Accordingly, the study has an important set of results including: The economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian government during the current war have had a great impact on the economic situation in general, and the health sector in particular leading to a weak health system. Furthermore, the demand for health services in Latakia public hospitals increased significantly because of people displacement, in addition to high levels of poverty. Health cooperation in Syria has not resulted in effective social returns or to be able to encounter growing demand and minimize citizens’ burdens. Finally, artificial intelligence models are highly efficient and credible in predicting health demand, which contributes to the development of plans and strategies.

Hungary is characterized by an ageing society. The majority of healthcare is used by the elderly. Hospitalization is frequently required due to iatrogenesis, caused by drug toxicity and adverse interactions. Polypharmacy can augment these problems. 
The purpose of my research is to assess the frequency and harmful effects of polypharmacy in an elderly inpatient care unit. In addition to the survey results, during the research, which was conducted in an inpatient department, I collected data on regularly taken medications, the established diagnoses as well as the results of kidney function test. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. 
According to the research, it was proven that among geriatric patients, polypharmacy is an important contributor to their potential risk. The more diseases a person suffers from, the more medications he or she must take, so more drug interactions must be expected. Therefore, it is extremely important to regularly reconsider databases concerning drug interactions. To improve patient safety, the "unit-dose system" provides great help concerning inpatients, which also includes the automatic monitoring of interactions. With the help of all this, the development of complications, hospitalization and mortality can be reduced. Decreasing iatrogenicity not only improves the patient's quality of life but also lowers the burden on the healthcare system.

-

The research looked at women's health awareness of a health factor such as menopause. This factor is important because it affects all women and increases their risk of developing diseases that are common in the national population. The questions of the pilot study were: How does health awareness about menopause appear in women? How does health awareness in the study area affect the intention to change behaviour? The two lectures on this topic provided the framework for the questionnaire survey. The responses of 18 volunteers were processed using simple descriptive statistical calculations. The results obtained indicate that exposure to the topic has a positive influence on both health awareness and health-conscious behaviour change intention in informal learning.

The transformation of the situation of older people in the 21st century can be attributed to social ageing and the changing of family structures, which are associated with changes in the living conditions of older people. The aim of this research is to investigate how aging is experienced in relation to protective factors and housing conditions. The research has a cross-sectional design, with a sample of participants aged 60+ years according to the WHO definition (N=98). Measures include self-structured and standard questionnaires to assess self-esteem, satisfaction with life, social support, and resilience. Results show that peer support varies based on living arrangements, with higher support reported by those living in social institutions or family, but no difference in old age experiences. Using cluster analysis, the sample can be divided into four groups based on housing conditions. Differences are observed in peer support, resilience and self-esteem, suggesting a more negative situation for those living in a single person household and a more positive situation for those living in a social institution. However, no differences can be identified in life satisfaction which is relevant to the experience of old age, possibly due to different background factors: resilience is the main factor behind the life satisfaction of women living in a family, while social support dominates in those living in a social institution. To understand the satisfaction of men living in a family and of women living in a single person household, it would be necessary to include additional influencing factors. Given these results, it can be seen that even in programs aimed at improving the quality of life of older people, it may be important to consider the place of residence, as it can influence life satisfaction through different factors.

In the Decade of Healthy Ageing, healthy and successful aging can also be promoted through social services and care provided to the elderly. It is necessary to support and develop those functional abilities that allow the elderly to meet their needs in their own environment. Since the 1960s, models of healthy and successful aging have continuously shifted in a positive direction, expanded, and coexisted. Today, the lives of older people can be supported in very complex ways along the dimensions defined by these models. It has also become increasingly emphasized that the expected lifespan in good health can be extended to later ages, but chronic diseases and the decline of functional abilities cannot be avoided. For the oldest elderly, who often require social assistance, the process of adaptation to changes is the most necessary and feasible to support. Both adaptation and the maintenance of abilities can be best supported through education and learning. In social institutions, didactically grounded learning programs tailored to the abilities of elderly residents can be integrated into their daily routines as part of therapeutic care. The involvement of professionals working with the elderly is essential for the development and practical application of these programs. The strategy of action research provides an opportunity for learning programs that can be effectively applied in the social sector to develop and be implemented in a collaborative, action-oriented process. In my study, I present the theoretical foundation of this conceptual framework.

Thanks to the Digital Wellbeing Programme, the Vachott Sándor Library in Gyöngyös has been running a digital assistance service (Smart Grandma's Club) since 2018, which aims to help the older generation learn the basics of IT, how to use computers, the internet, word processing and smartphones. (Kápolnai, 2022) The results of the research programme "Older people as ICT learners" ÚNKP-23-3 conducted here have confirmed the relevance of digital competence development for older people, the areas of use, the possibilities for effective learning through the conscious use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) devices, and the current device and network access data. 
In addition to factually identifying the areas of use of ICT devices by older people, a learning motivation chart for the development of digital competence in old age was prepared in the framework of the project ÚNKP-23-3.
Further gerontological research confirms that older people who are mobile, active, open, and who maintain or even enrich their social contacts can expect a more fulfilling old age. Creativity, intelligence and literacy do not necessarily or uniformly decline with age. The degradation of neurons during the ageing process can be compensated by strengthening and renewing the connections between them through learning (Bene-Móré-Zombory, 2020).Learning is one of the most effective ways to stay active in old age (Bene, 2017). 
Successful learning in old age depends on the unity of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, which, alongside social integration, contributes to maintaining and improving active life.
The importance of digital literacy in old age is widespread. However, in addition to digital skills, flexibility, autonomy and problem-solving competence can also contribute to the future effective management of older people's lives and even their work (Kristóf-Győri, 2021).
Digital competence development can create a bridge between generations and social classes, "knowledge" can be available to anyone. Still, in old age, motivation is a prerequisite for a successful learning process.
The current study is supported by the ÚNKP-23-3 New National Excellence Program of The Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

Mindenki életében vannak olyan láthatatlan folyamatok és események, amelyeket oly könnyedén szemlél a külvilág, hogy még csak tabunak sem nevezhetjük a hozzájuk fűződő egyéni problémákat és a társadalom működéséhez kapcsolódó deficiteket. Ilyen láthatatlan fátyol borítja be a demenciával küzdők és családjuk életét is. Ma már tudjuk, hogy a demencia egy olyan állapot, amely a leépülés során lépcsőfokonként menetelve vezeti a gondozót és a gondozottat egy számukra ismeretlen világ felé. Szűcs Teri ezt az ismeretlen világot mutatja be a Visszatért hozzám az emlékezet: Demenecia és Óperencia című kötetében.

The author reports on the launch of the Méliusz Alzheimer Café in Debrecen. She writes about the role and motivation of the participants in the initiative. She gives a detailed description of the events that took place in 2023 and 2024 and their possible outcomes.