Search
Search Results
-
COVID -19 pandemic, surveys on elderly about vaccination. National and European perspectives
14-17Views:143A summary of Symposium titled COVID-19 pandemic, surveys on elderly about vaccination reserved in this abstract.
The severe cases of COVID-19 in Europe. A comparative analysis using SHARE data base
The paper focuses on the severe cases of COVID-19 in Europe and the predictors of these cases. The author used the secondary analysis of a large data base (SHARE) of persons aged 50 or more from the EU countries and the Switzerland. The data have been collected in the summer of 2020. In the first part the focus is on the theoretical starting point of the analysis. In the second part the main outputs are presented.
How to convince the undecided - communication with the elderly and attitudes towards vaccination COVID-19 in Poland
The pandemic has had its toll on the socio-economic life of most people. Governments and international organizations face new challenges in a situation of uncertainty. Social campaigns are designed to encourage as many people as possible to join the vaccination plan. Achieving population resilience requires a significant commitment of organizational, financial and communication resources.
Older people constitute a priority group in the vaccination system in Poland. However, despite the measures taken, there remains a significant share of seniors who remain reluctant to vaccination. The government is taking further pro-turnout measures targeted at the elderly. The shortcomings of the existing strategies should be eliminated for the benefit of society.
The aim is to summarize the research conducted in the field of the needs and possibilities of communication with the elderly, attitudes towards vaccinations and sources of influence on making purchasing decisions of seniors.
Vaccination attitudes – international project in Central and Eastern Europe
The beginnings of the project date back to 2020. The uncertainty that became commonplace in the times of the pandemic indicated new areas of previously unknown dependencies. Stress, uncertainty, attitudes towards the threat, protective behaviour, and soon also attitudes towards vaccination seemed the most important at that time. Examining the existing dependencies would allow a better understanding of the phenomenon of social responses to the pandemic and would support governmental and non-governmental, national and international actions that would be an important tool in the fight against the negative consequences of a spreading COVID-19.
Scientists from Central and Eastern European countries representing different disciplines (sociology, economics, communication, statistics, psychology and psychiatry) joined forces in a common international project investigating the relationship between attitudes towards vaccines and the level of perceived mental health, uncertainty, socio-demographic variables and the level of religiosity. Core aims of the project were to analyse the model of predictors concerning demographic, psychological, and social factors influencing the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 and to provide the information to prepare and implement more effective and efficient health messaging strategies and campaigns targeting groups reluctant to COVID-19 vaccination in Eastern and Central European countries.
The project involved the development of a common research tool - a questionnaire, parallel research in four countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary), more than 2000 respondents (unvaccined adults) and joint development of the results of the analysis, using the potential of all involved partners.
The project is still developed to next stages of investigation. Results will be published in high quality journals in years 2022 and 2023.Partners involved represent: University of Gdańsk (Poland), University of Oradea (Romania), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), University of Debrecen (Hungary).
More information: k.balandynowicz@ug.edu.pl.
Survey on unvaccinated Hungarian elderly people during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the pandemic, we performed a comparative study of the Hungarian unvaccinated people, focusing on psychological and demographic aspects in our questionnaire. The survey data collection lasted from 27 August to 13 October 2021. Participants were over 18 years of age who have not yet received any vaccination against the COVID-19 virus.
The method used is an on-line questionnaire survey.
The survey is not for political but for scientific purposes, and we hope that its results will contribute to a more professional management of the COVID-19 epidemic. The survey of Hungarian team was conducted in collaboration with Polish, Slovenian and Romanian university researchers.
The test dimensions are as follows:
Well-being at the time of pandemic (happiness, health.)
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21)
Vaccination Attitudes Examination Scale (VAX)
Sources of information about vaccination
Religiosity level
Demographics (metrics)
The presentation focuses on the most important aspects of the first analysis of the Hungarian results. The study involved 478 people: 113 men, 363 women, and 2 people identified as “other”. It is worth highlighting from the first processing of the data that a large number of unvaccinated people do not believe that they are at risk of getting the COVID-19 virus. In our sample 42% of the unvaccinated are very sure that the vaccine will not work, and 30.6% are afraid that they will become infected because of the vaccine. They do not usually feel safe after vaccinations, they are afraid of the undiscovered consequences, and they trust more in their natural immunity. 61.8% definitely do not want a vaccine for themselves, nor in the future. 67.3% want to wait to see how vaccines work in other people. During processing, we could identify the ones with a definite anti-vaccination attitude. They were also analyzed on the basis of their political affiliation, religiosity, and place of residence. Regarding the DASS-21 depression subscale, the young age group scored significantly higher than the elderly. According to the DASS-21 stress subscale, the value belonging to young people is significantly higher than that of older people. On the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) Scale’s concerns about financial profiteering subscale, seniors scored significantly higher. Interpreting our results in the context of parallel international studies is also part of our objectives. Our results provide an opportunity to serve important aspects for the communication strategies with unvaccinated elderly. -
Primary aspects of the elderly and information communication technologies
138-160Views:499In this article, we will briefly review information and communication technology (ICT), the most typical characteristics of the elderly age group, and finally, we will look at how and in which areas the elderly can connect to ICT solutions. It is not easy to navigate in a world of rapidly evolving technology even for those who do not have to think about how to learn using ICT. In a rapidly evolving world of technology, it is not easy for those who does not need to think about how to learn how to use ICT to adapt. Those who have not been in touch with ICT for a third or half of their lives start from a serious disadvantage, and this disadvantage can increase in old age. Today it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between the online and offline worlds, and this is unlikely to become easier in the future. Welfare states are characterized by an aging society, and the resulting problems have long been present in all areas, from health to economy. In our study we will examine and bring together relevant literature closely related to this topic, covering quality of life, overcoming loneliness, social inclusion and the health of the individual. Our aim is to explore the potential of ICT for quality ageing of older people, the factors that motivate them to use the tools, the difficulties that hinder their use and learning, and the future prospects. Our study covered the English and Hungarian language literature, publications published in Europe or research conducted in European countries, among people aged 65 and over, between 2011 and 2021.
-
Democratic values – discriminative practices regarding to the status of the elderly
64-76.Views:160The scientific study of gerontology in Hungary has a short history. Perhaps that is why the
meaning of gerontology is erroneously restricted to the type belonging to biology and medical
sciences by many. The present study argues that human and social science gerontology does
have reasons for its existence. We outline the specific areas of research done by philosophy
and ethics in connection with the situation of the existence of people, especially that of the
elderly and describe what their mission consists of. We analyse the history of Western
philosophical thinking and the moral ideas and values formed by this thinking in thousands of
years. The basic principles of modern democratic societies are constituted by these ideas:
liberty, equality, justice, brotherhood, human dignity and human rights. In practice these
rights are often violated, for example the elderly people are discriminated against their age,
which violates their equality and justice as well as human dignity. Their disadvantageous
situation is obvious in the economy, politics, culture, education and relations between
generations. The task of ethics is the principle criticism of these practices along the Western
values thus contribution to the formation of human conditions. The demographic crisis of the
continent is viewed by the EU as based on modern age policy, aids, projects and classical
Western values. -
Quality of life for social care centre clients
11-13Views:83Introduction:
There are approximately 60 million people over 60 years of age in the world. The United Nations predicts that by 2050 the number of people aged 60 years and older could be around 2 billion (Zaļkalns, 2015). In Latvia, every fourth inhabitant is a pensioner. Given Latvia's socio-economic situation, social and health care options for older, lonely people are becoming increasingly less accessible. A large part of the population of Latvia cannot provide themselves with quality of life in old age. If there is no family or, due to various circumstances, relatives cannot take care of the elderly, the only option is social care institutions (Slokenbeka, Zepa, 2013). The quality of life of an elderly person remains an issue when he or she is in a social care centre. Quality of life is a complex, interacting set of objective and subjective indicators in different areas of life. The World Health Organisation defines quality of life as “the perception of an individual's personal life position in the context of the cultural and value system in which the individual lives in relation to the individual's goals, expectations, standards and concerns. It is a broad concept that is influenced in complex ways by a person's physical health, psychological state, personal beliefs, social relationships and key environmental factors” (Scester, 2012).The Aim of the study:
To analyse the quality of life for social care centre clients.
Materials and methods:
Quantitative research method was chosen to obtain the results. A questionnaire with 25 questions was developed. The participants of the research were clients of two social care centres (hereafter SAC) (SAC “X”, n = 50; SAC “Y”, n = 50).Results:
The majority of SAC respondents have lived in the institution for more than four years (SAC “X” = 54%; SAC “Y” = 70%). In both groups, the predominant reason for being in SAC is “I am lonely, I cannot take care of myself” (SAC "X" = 62%; SAC "Y" = 58%). On the questions about the frequency of meals and the quality of food in the SAC, the data show that 78% of clients in SAC “X” and 94% in SAC “Y” are satisfied with the frequency of meals, while on the quality of food the dominant answer is “the food is satisfactory” (SAC “X” = 54%; SAC “Y” = 32%). The questions on living conditions show that SAC clients live both alone and in pairs (mainly spouses). The relationship with the roommate is described by 52% in SAC “X” and 38% in SAC “Y” with the phrase “we get along peacefully, without quarrels”. 26% of respondents in both groups describe their relationship as “very good and friendly”. SAC clients describe their financial situation as “modest”. Emotional support is received from other residents, staff and family members/relatives. Emotional uplift is also provided by various activities in the SAC and by doing things that they enjoy and find interesting, e.g., handicrafts, crossword puzzles. SAC clients note that they try to attend all events organised by the SAC, especially concerts by amateur groups and famous artists. The “feeling of security” in the SAC is prevalent in both groups of respondents (SAC “X” = 56%; SAC “Y” = 70%). Although there is a feeling of security, both groups of respondents report that they “miss the feeling of home” when living in SAC (SAC “X” = 24%; SAC “Y” = 34%).Conclusions:
Clients in the social care centre are satisfied with the quality of life in the physical and social spheres, but are partially satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of life in the emotional and area of independence. The participants often feel lonely and sad and experience longing and anticipation. Respondents in both social care centres never or rarely experience feelings such as love, joy and happiness. Respondents indicate a lack of independence, acknowledging that they have limited autonomy and that they cannot be who they are because they have to adapt to the existing regime.Bibliography:
1. Zaļkalns J. (2015). Novecošana – aktualitātes un problemātika. Retrieved 25 January 2017 from http://www.afonds.lv/editor/uploads/files/prezentacijas/1_Zalkalns_Novecosana_aktualitates_ problematika.ppt
2. Slokenbeka A., Zepa D. (2013). Vecums – liktenis, izaicinājums, dāvana. Rīga: RAKUS Atbalsta fonds. 96 lpp
3. Šķestere, I. (2012). Pētījums par dzīves kvalitātes izvērtējuma metodēm un instrumentiem. Rīga: ES Eiropas Sociālais fonds. 43 lpp. -
A Sóstó-Gyógyfürdők Zrt. kínálata az idősödő generációknak
103-115Views:196Analyzing the age pyramid of Hungary, we can see that we live in an aging society, due to which the older generations are becoming more and more important in the medical tourism sector. The largest group of medical tourism is the elderly over the age of 60, who most often visit spas with musculoskeletal disorders. Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county is especially rich in spas, the Sóstó Spa, which is our spa of international significance, also stands out. The aim of the Sóstó Spa is to play a role in maintaining and improving the health of health tourists, in developing a bathing culture, and in spending a pleasant and useful leisure time.
-
About a current cultural lag
89Views:12At the beginning of the last century the American scientist Ogburn developed his theory of the "cultural lag". It is based on the observation that certain social developments, which are actually interrelated, can proceed at different speeds and behavioural or institutional framework conditions no longer fit in.
-
Older people in the infocommunication space - opportunities and challenges
101-102Views:200Az idősek infokommunikációs technológiákkal történő interakciója pozitívan befolyásolhatja szellemi tevékenységüket és összességében jó hatással lehet a mentális egészségük serkentésére. Ez a mentális stimuláció javíthatja a memóriájukat is. Az IKT-t használó idősek úgy érzik, sokkal magabiztosabbak és kevésbé vannak elszigetelve a társadalomtól, megnöveltnek látják a társadalmi támogatást és társadalmi interakciót, jobb kognitív képességekkel rendelkeznek, fennmaradhat a függetlenség érzése a mindennapi életükben és körükben alacsonyabb szintű depressziót mérnek a kutatók. Az IKT-t megfelelő szinten alkalmazó személyek akár magasabb hozzáadott értéket is képviselhetnek közösségükben, mivel képesek átadni bölcsességüket és tudásukat a fiatalabb generációknak a fejlett technológián keresztül is. A fentiek következtében csökken a digitális szakadék, javulhat a személyes életminőség, a függetlenség és autonómia fenntartása a mobilitást is fokozza, kialakulhat és működhet a személyre szabott integrált szociális és egészségügyi ellátáshoz való hozzáférés, így a digitális kompetenciák színvonalas alkalmazása alapvetően, összességében pozitívan tud hatni az idősek saját életére és a hozzájuk tartozókéra is (Blazun, 2013).
Jelenleg – főleg az elmúlt évtizedekhez képest – a kifejezetten idősebbek számára készült technológiai eszközök és megoldások felé mutatott igény, ennek következtében pedig ezek piacképessége is fellendülésben van. A gerontechnológia – melynek területéhez tartozik minden olyan okos szolgáltatás és technikai innováció, amely az idősek életminőségét javíthatja – segíthet a sikeres öregedésben és az önálló élet fenntartásában. A kapcsolati szolgáltatások erősíthetik a szocializációt és csökkenthetik az esetleges ellátási költségeket (Peterson & Prasad, 2011). 2020-ban az idősekkel kapcsolatos médiavisszhang minden eddiginél kiemelkedőbb volt a magasabb egészségi kockázat és a korona vírussal szembeni nagyobb veszélyeztetettség miatt (Köttl, Tatzer & Ayalon, 2021).
Amikor az idősek az IKT lehetőségeket használják, számos kedvező hatással találkozhatnak. Digitális tudásuk fejlődésével csökkenhet a kirekesztődésük, ezzel együtt a magány érzete is, egészségi állapotuk folyamatos monitorozásával lassítható az egészségromlás, addig ismeretlen, új információkhoz tudnak hozzájutni, mely által fenntarthatják vagy növelhetik a mentális kondíciójukat. Kialakíthatják és menedzselhetik a családi és baráti kapcsolattartást, távolabb élő személyekkel tudják felvenni a kapcsolatot, illetve, ha mindezekben fiatalabb családtagjaik segítik őket, szorosabb családi köteléket és intergenerációs hasznot is hoz a folyamat (Bene, Móré & Zombory, 2020). Figyelmet kell fordítani arra ugyanakkor, hogy a pozitív tényezők mellett megjelenhetnek a negatív vonatkozások is. Ezek magában foglalhatják azokat az érzéseket, amelyek a személyes kontaktus hiánya miatt keletkeznek, olyan egészségi hatások erősödhetnek, mint a szem terhelése, a hosszabb ideig tartó ülés miatt rosszabbodó testtartás, internetes visszaélések célpontjai lehetnek az idősek, esetleg felmerülhet körükben is internet-és okoseszköz függőség.
Előadásunkban az idősek és az IKT kapcsolatát vizsgáljuk a tanulás, a magányosság az egészségügy és egyéb, általánosabb területek vonatkozásában a nemzetközi szakirodalmon keresztül.
Irodalom:
1. Bene, Á., Móré, M., & Zombory, J. (2020). A digitalizáció néhány elemének időseket érintő hatásai - karantén előtti helyzetkép. Magyar Gerontológia, 12(39), 29-51.
2. Blazun, H. (2013). Elderly People's Quality of Life with Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Toward a Model of Adaptation to ICT in Old Age. University of Eastern Finland, Dissertations in Social Sciences and Business Studies, no 59.
3. Köttl, H., Tatzer, V. C., & Ayalon, L. (2021). COVID-19 and Everyday ICT Use: The Discursive Construction of Old Age in German Media. The Gerontological Society of America, 10(10), 1-12. -
Smart against ageism: an overview of age discrimination in Portugal
25-29Views:90Negative stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination on the ground of age, known as “ageism” have been shown to cause cardiovascular stress, lowered levels of self-efficacy and decreased productivity[1]. Across the EU, policies and practices still reflect ageist prejudices and deprioritise, disregard, or even exclude older adults in different ways.
-
Local community practices to improve healthy aging in the North
25-26Views:110The governments of Finland, Denmark, Norway and Russia have developed national programs to address population ageing. There are also successful practices in healthy ageing at the local level in different countries, but they remain unknown among the global professional community and governmental authorities.
Healthy ageing has become an important policy issue at all levels of the society. The key international document is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) plan for a Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020–2030 which is the second action plan of the WHO ‘s Global strategy on ageing and health. The Plan consists of 10 years of concerted, catalytic, sustained collaboration to improve the lives of older people, their families, and their communities. Older people themselves are in the core of this plan, and it brings together variety of actors, including governments, civil society, international agencies, professionals, academia, the media, and the private sector. The Plan also notes that healthy ageing is not only a healthcare issue but also needs to engage many other sectors.
The aim of research was to search and introduce local community practices according the priority areas of WHO Decade of Healthy Aging action plan for gerontological policy in arctic countries.
Examples of good practices for the Priority 1 of the Plan: Change how we think, feel and act towards age and ageing
Fostering of Healthy Ageing requires fundamental shifts from existing stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination towards older people. Older people should not be seen only as an economic burden for the welfare society, but as contributors to the state and communities, and as resourceful carriers of traditional values and wisdom. Governments eliminate age discrimination by variety of actions, such as legislative changes, and policies and programs which engage older people in decision-making.
Initiatives for Priority 2 of the Plan: Ensure that communities foster the abilities of older people
The environments which are built on decisions made not only by policy makers but involve citizens of all ages are better places to grow, play, live, work and retire. Even those people who have lost their capacity, shall be able to continue to enjoy everyday activities, to continue to develop personally and professionally, to participate and contribute to their communities while retaining their autonomy, dignity, health, and well-being.
Practices for Priority 3 of the Plan: Deliver person-centered, integrated care and primary health services to older people
Good-quality essential health services include prevention of diseases; promotion of healthy lifestyle; curative, rehabilitative, palliative and end-of-life care; safe, effective, good-quality essential medicines and vaccines; dental care; assistive technologies, while ensuring that the use of services does not cause the user financial hardship.
Local northern practices are mirrored against the recently released WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020-2030 Action Plan with paying attention to indigenous elders. Based on these practices the national, regional, and municipal level authorities of the Nordic countries and Russia were suggested to consider the policy recommendations based of the research.
-
The rights of psychiatric patients, especially in the field of dementia care
84-85Views:25Given the demographics of Hungary's population, the aging process and the change in the age composition project an increasingly worrying future. In an aging society, both the provision of care within the social sector and the provision of specialist care within the health sector are facing an ever-increasing anomaly. The growing number of people over the age of 65, including mostly demented people, as well as people who are limited in self-care and need professional help, must be provided to an increasing extent by the care systems. We are facing a current problem that has affected almost every family directly or indirectly. It is not only the provision of professional care that must be solved for the family members, but also the knowledge of the legal regulation of the special situation during the care, the knowledge of the rights and obligations for the care provider, as well as for the patients and their relatives.
-
Action for smart healthy age-friendly environments
47-48Views:78Smart, adaptable and inclusive solutions can help improve and support independent life throughout the course of life, regardless of age, gender, disabilities, cultural differences and personal choices.
A holistic approach that optimizes social and physical environments, supported by digital tools and services, allows to provide better health and social care, promoting not only independent living, but also equity and active participation in society. This approach follows the United Nations' line-up, with the Sustainable Development Goals (in particular Objectives 3 and 11), stating that sustainable environments for all ages represent the basis for ensuring a better future for the entire population.
The challenges of different sectors, such as ICT, the building industry and urban planning and the health and social care, as well as those of citizens and their communities are interlinked. Responding to these challenges will foster awareness and support for the creation and implementation of smart, healthy and inclusive environments for present and future generations.
From this insight, a new concept was developed and well received: Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments (SHAFE). The by the EC approved Thematic Network of 2018 evolved into a Stakeholders Network of about 170 organisations and it is represented in several European projects and networks. COST Action NET4Age-Friendly brings together over 320 researchers from 46 countries. Capacity building to support the implementation of SHAFE is present in Erasmus+ projects.The presentation will give an overview of relevant development and insights to support the building of smart, inclusive societies.
-
Redefining nursing skills in AI and robotisation, with a particular focus on conditions requiring long-term care
126-145Views:234Owing to the enormous improvements in health and lifestyle over the last century, the average age has increased. Although longevity is an important achievement of the modern age, it is a challenge for the care of an ageing population. As people in the richest parts of the world live longer, there is a growing shortage of carers for an ageing population. This paper reviews the literature and describes the global challenges of caregiving, future issues in elderly care, the emergence of robotization in the field of nursing care and how this can contribute to improving the quality of care for the older people. It also discusses the experience of using robots in international and domestic elderly care and briefly describes how the use of AI-based technology has contributed to improving the effectiveness of care in the context of the coronavirus epidemic. The paper concludes by presenting a vision and directions for training development for Advance Practice Nurses, Register Nurses and post-secondary nurses, and other health care professionals to improve attitudes, enhance knowledge, and develop services to improve elderly care.
-
Activity in old age, active and successfull aging
73-96Views:659Background and aims: The aim of our research was to qualitatively examine the attitudes of older people towards aging, the activity available and implemented from it, their community involvement, and their lay perceptions and opinions of successful aging.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted during the research, and the interviews were evaluated by content analysis.
Results an discussion: According to the elderly, successful aging mainly requires physical or mental health, maintaining activity, an active lifestyle, a positive outlook on life, a good family environment, social relationships, financial security, goals, motivation, successful life, advance planning, and social support. -
Ageless quarantine yoga - Escape to Yogaland in the time of pandemic
12-14Views:129Nowadays it is expansively recognised that practicing yoga can improve the quality of life by providing appropriate physical training exercises which can be performed by every age group. Yoga practitioners of the older generations beside maintaining their physical activity can heal their sense of balance which decreases the hazard of off-balance and fall.
During the years of my yoga teaching I met the representatives of every age group at my classes. I led kids yoga courses for preschool children, dynamic flow sequences for trained yoga practitioners, but I did have students over 70 years old who insisted to join an intermediate level hatha yoga class even if they had gone through serious illnesses and operations in the past and they were not able to hold each postures.
I have experienced that the elderly people are very grateful for the healing that yoga gives them and for the careful attention whereby the yoga instructor tailors the yoga asanas and sequences according to the physical condtitions, state of health and capabilities of each individual.
At the yoga instructor courses the contraindications of asanas and defining the anatomic and physiological backround of injuries and the physical limitations of each practitioner are emphasized intensively. This comprehensive teacher training and the continuous monitoring guarantee the safety. The instructor faces the mutations and the loss of physical and psychical balance in the the reality, at the yoga classes. Practice makes the master! It is more than true is yoga. Gaining practical experience the instructor can handle the special situations and needs with growing confidence applying yoga props (strap, yoga blocks, chair etc.), modifying the asanas, and using the power of words to motivate the students.
Supported by my friends I created The Force Yoga Group Facebook site in April , where I have been leading yoga classes since then. It is a great place to meet my yoga practitioning friends, my family members, my elderly parents and in defieance of quarantine and lockdown to practice yoga together, at the same time. Our magical yoga carpet is a tranquil island to where we can escape from the raging pandemic, where we can start our inner journey in the time of the outer movelessness.
The online practice team has already more than 100 members. It is an intercultural and intergenerational group. I knew I had no information of the health conditions, the perfection of yoga practice of each group member, and with many of them I had not practiced together in person (offline), so I had to call their attention to the rules of safe yoga practice constantly and acutely. At the beginning and at the end of the online sessions I dedicate some sentences to it, during practice I try to instruct precisely to protect them from the injuries. The verbal correction playes here a very important role.
My online students can be informed about the topic from the scientific articles I share on our page from time to time.
I am aware of the fact that an avarege home is not a well-equipped yoga studio, so I show online how to use the furniture, fixtures and everyday objects as yoga props.
A shorter, 30-45 minute Chair Yoga Class is the part of our weekly program as well, especially for those members who struggle with balance poses or get weak easily.
In private messages the students send me their observations, remarks, questions and requests. Some of them experience pain or tension in certain asanas, so we try to find out together the reason of it and to correct and to set the posture. A 75 year-old student of mine asked me to build a yoga sequence of simple breathing exercises and stretching asanas which can be performed by anyone.
Many feedbacks speak about how big inspiration is to watch my everyday practice and my enthusiasm is pushing the spectators to their yoga mat. There are older practitioners who perform the breathing and warm up exercises sitting on a chair, and it means already 15-20 minutes of physical training.
During lockdown there are 4-5 online yoga sessions weekly, the videos are available anytime. The regular practice becomes a sure point in the life of the members, there is something to look forward to, even if there is no stimulus to receive from the outer world. In this online yoga space you can get new friends, through the comments you can share your ideas and suddenly you belong to a yoga community.
The stress relieving classes I close with Yoga Dream (yoga nidra) relaxation which is an at least 20 minutes of visualization, an imaginery journey interlarded by positive affirmations while body and mind are calming down. Such a mini meditation does not require any intensive physical activity but breathing. I could mention many other positive increments that occured creating The Force Yoga Group, but quoted the great yoga master, B.K.S. Iyengar:
“Words cannot convey the value of yoga – it has to be experienced.”
-
Carmen - How are we growing old in cyberspace?
25-37Views:106Introduction: Cyberspace is a platform which determines us for many decades. Socialization takes place not only in school, workplace, or family, but also in social media which means that every age group is affected.
Aim: The aim of the paper is to pop up questions in connection with growing old in cyberspace with the help of a work of art of Stromae.
Methodology: The videoclip can be considered as a short content of the critical view of Twitter. In Hungary this platform hasn’t been so popular, however, it is a symbol of social media thus it can be interpreted to the tendencies that can be seen worldwide. The materials of the analysis are the pictorial representations of the videoclip, while the analytical tool is the theory and practice of social representations.
Theoretical background: To analyze the work of art, theories in connection with socialization and social representation are used in order to have a deeper understanding of processes of consumer society while aging. Life events - birthdays, eating out and visiting cinema - are enhanced to see examples of possible individual failures and also the extension of these failures to society.
Conclusion: The visual representation of pop music plays a socially responsible role that affects all age groups. Raising awareness about responsible use of social media should not only be limited to young people in the future but also extended to the elderly as vulnerable social groups of society. -
The role of geriatric readaptation in improving the condition of the non-rehabilitable elderly
66-72Views:170Rehabilitation is significantly more difficult for people over the age of 65 and suffering from multiple chronic diseases than for younger people. In case of acute events or the worsening of existing diseases, it is an important professional question to determine how suitable the patient is for rehabilitation. Based on the complex examination of diagnosis, prognosis and rehabilitation, the primary consideration for individuals who cannot be rehabilitated is to maintain their independence as long as possible, which goes hand in hand with a better quality of life. This is helped by geriatric readaptation, the widest possible introduction and application of which is crucial for the elderly.
-
Social security and safety of older adults in Poland
9-11Views:94Poland’ population will be ageing at a fast rate in the coming decades. It is projected that in 2070 the Polish ratio between people aged 65 and over and those aged 15-64 years will be 62.6, the highest among EU-27 countries. Population ageing appeared in the public debate in Poland as a separate subject in the 1990s, following a negative natural population increase and the looming impact of the massive withdrawal of baby boomers from the labour market on the pension system. One of the reasons for older persons’ growing interest in retirement was pension system reforms planned by successive governments.
The announcement of the year 2012 as the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations (decision no. 940/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2011) contributed in Poland to the emergence of a senior policy from a social policy and initiated major legislative, institutional, and organisational changes at the national, regional and local levels of government. It also inspired the redefinition of measures used hitherto in line with the evolution in the perception of older people from social care recipients to active members of their communities entitled to education and economic, social, civic and political activity. In 2013, the Senior Policy Council was established as a consultative and advisory body to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, and then similar councils supporting regional and local authorities were organised.
In order to encourage greater activity among seniors, a special governmental programme was created in December 2013, which grants funds on a competitive basis to projects concerning social activities, education, and intergenerational cooperation submitted by informal and formal groups of seniors.
The national government’s key documents on senior policy, one for the period from 2014 to 2020 and the other spanning the years until 2030, are Resolution 238 of 24 Dec. 2013 by the Board of Ministers on the Adoption of Long-term Senior Policy in Poland for the Years 2015-2020 and Resolution 161 of 28 Oct. 2018 by the Board of Ministers on the adoption of Social Policy Towards the Older Persons 2030. Security-Participation-Solidarity. In 2015, the Polish Parliament passed the elderly people act, which requires institutions in charge of the well-being of older persons to monitor and report on their situation. The reports submitted by the institutions are used by the Ministry of Labour to compile and present an annual evaluation of the status of the older population in Poland.
The regional governments’ senior policy is reflected in their social policy strategies. The strategies’ operational goals started to address needs specific to older people since 2002, focusing in particular on improving their quality of life, developing round-the-clock care services, at-home care services, and rehabilitation services, and on reducing social exclusion and marginalization of seniors.
Social security and the safety of older adults are progressively improving in Poland, but the greatest progress has been made in the area of active ageing. Social care services for the elderly still require improvement, because the predominant family care model is inefficient in many ways due to:
- limited financing of care services by public institutions,
- the growing proportion of single elderly persons,
- the increasing number of people aged 85+ (the so-called double population ageing),
- social insurance disregarding long-term care to an elderly family member as an insurable risk,
- a lack of legislation allowing employed people to seek a long-term leave to give care to an older family member,
- the informal expectation that women who retire at the age of 60 years will take care of the oldest family members.
While neither the scale nor the quality of home care services given to older persons is regularly surveyed in Poland, it can be presumed that the scale of care services is insufficient and that they excessively burden families with a member in need of care. Between 2010 and 2018, the number of persons aged 65+ increased in Poland by over 1.5 million, the number of the users of attendance services and specialised attendance services by 29,000 (from 99,000 to 128,000), and the number of residences in homes and facilities providing assistance to aged persons by 7,000 (from 20,000 to 27,100.)
-
Self-independence of oncological geriatric patients in the home environment
39-42Views:31Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. Family plays an important role in managing this disease. It provides home care for the patient, helps to increase and maintain the patient's self-sufficiency. A number of factors influence the patient's self-sufficiency, such as the age of the patient, the type of illness, the method of treatment, the patient's psychological state, the environment in which the patient is located, etc. Self-sufficiency in patients contributes to their self-esteem and to a positive perception of themselves.
-
Quality of life of elderly stroke patients and their caregivers
38-39Views:56Stroke represents a major societal representation as well as economic problem in an individual's life. The question arises in connection with the life of the patient oneself as well as in one’s whole family. Stroke is one of the most common diseases affecting people at an old age.
-
Contributing to the Decade of Healthy Aging in the Nordic-Russian Arctic
4Views:118NCM-funded project and expert network “Indigenous and non-indigenous residents of the Nordic-Russian region: Best practices for equity in healthy ageing” will be introduced.
The Arctic population is ageing, albeit at various speed across the regions and to a different degree of “healthiness” and “inequity related to healthy ageing” across the life-course. The aim of the research is to contribute to a multidisciplinary understanding of circumstances and patterns of healthy ageing in the Nordic-Russian Arctic and share examples of new solutions as components to the Arctic member states’ national policies and in accordance with the principles of WHO “Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020–2030”.
We will focus on a broad evaluation of opportunities the region can bring in to carry activities, building on the principles of the WHO Global Strategy on Ageing and Health, the United Nations Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, and aligned to the timing of the United Nations Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We will identify best practices at the regional/community levels among Non- and Indigenous older residents, using comparative approach: 1. How we think, feel and act towards age and ageing, 2.Communities fostering the abilities of older people, 3.Delivering culturally safe and person centred care and health services responsive to older people.
The project complements our on-going activities under the UArctic Thematic Network “Health and Well-being in the Arctic” and a “Development of a Think Tank Functions of the Northern Dimension Institute”.
-
Culture on Prescription in Portugal: cultural experiences promoting health in lonely people and older adults
11-13Views:73Social connections play a vital role in personal well-being. Loneliness, characterized by a lack of meaningful social engagement, has emerged as a significant public health concern in Europe, especially after COVID19 pandemic, when the problem was labelled by the media as a “loneliness epidemic” (Berlingieri et al., 2022). According to Casabianca & Kovacic (2022), older adults are especially vulnerable to loneliness due to all the life transitions and disruptive life events they face. Loneliness is more prevalent among Europeans aged 50 and above in southern and eastern regions (ranging from 31% to 46%) compared to western and northern areas (ranging from 10% to 30%).
-
The preventive geriatric – the new issue of the XXI-st Century
49-63.Views:205The ageing is the global phenomenon, it is main more difficult financial and social
problem for modern societies. If we accepted the ageing = disease identity, this does not
help solving the problem, it increases cost only. It is still high number of people over the
age of 65 in hospital inpatient departments. A change of view is needed. The aging is
regarded as a decompensation process, which has parts and interventions possibilities. If
we intervene in the downturns of the decompensation process with appropriate means,
decompensation can be reduced; life-years in health can be increased. The goal is to
preserve self-sufficiency as much as possible. Should be system established, because in
other way this will be for profit service only. We have reviewed the major experiments that
have taken place in the world and seem appropriate to handle the issue properly. However
in order to achieve results, necessary change not only the structure bat also the attitudes. -
Medication adherence in older adults with hypertension in Slovakia
35-36Views:40Non-adherence to medical therapy in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) is associated with increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality, and thus increased healthcare costs. The prevalence of AH increases with increasing age. In view of this, monitoring adherence to medical therapy in older adults and its determinants is very important.
-
The correlations of resilience of the geriatric population in Botswana: A cross sectional study
36-37Views:67According to Botswana's Current statistics for 2021, people aged 60 and above would make up 8.9% of the population. As people age, they face a plethora of challenges; mental, legal, social, health, economic, environmental, and political, in addition to ageism and marginalization. Therefore, they need resilience to deal with these challenges that emanate from the aging process, the development of care needs, and the depletion of resources. However, in Africa, there is anecdotal evidence that some older people cannot cope with their lives, let alone carer responsibilities caused by HIV related death and other risk factors. For older people to flourish, they need resilience to achieve, endure, develop and sustain their health and well-being in the face of adversity. The degree of success and impact on their resilience is undocumented. The research will therefore determine the correlates with resilience and establish ways to curb the risk factors.
-
„ECCE HOMO”
43-48.Views:130The author provides the psychical aspects of the old age, which helps to encourage a positive
way of life in later life.