Studies and Research

• Training Program for Presarcopenic Elderly Patients

  Roland Mangold

  Lilla Márton

  Patrícia Lajkó

  Klára Gadó

  Views:

  5

  Purpose: Our aim was to test a training program designed to decrease/reverse the deleterious effects of sarcopenia: a generalized and progressive loss of muscle mass and muscle strength and function. Materials and methods: An intervention group of 9 participants and a control group of 7 participants took part in the pilot study, aged 65+, and former patients of the Szent Rókus Hospital. We measured grip strength, functional capacity with the Timed Up and Go test, and the presence and severity of sarcopenia with the SARC-F questionnaire. A two-month training period followed, with biweekly workouts. After which we reassessed and used a paired samples T-Test in JASP 0.16.4.0.. A focus group interview was used to collect participants’ thoughts and feelings regarding the training period. Results: The intervention group showed a positive, nonsignificant change in their SARC-F scores (p=0.080). Their functional capacity improved significantly (p=0.033). Their muscle strength also improved significantly (p=0.006). The control group’s SARC-F scores decreased, (p=0.423), performed the TUG test slower (p=0.114) and their grip strength decreased (p=0.477). We received unanimously positive answers at the focus group interview. Conclusion: The exercise program improved the functional capacity and muscle strength of the participants; thus, it would be worthwhile for physiotherapists working with older people to familiarize themselves with principles used here and to utilize a similar program.

  PDF

  1

• Behavioural Techniques in Work with Seniors

  Ondrej Botek

  Nadežda Kovalčíková

  Views:

  1

  This article explores the application of storytelling as a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) tool for older adults, emphasizing its effectiveness in illustrating the role of avoidance and exposure in anxiety recovery. Integrating a complete theoretical introduction and narrative case example with conceptual support from psychoeducational materials, the article demonstrates how storytelling facilitates therapeutic insight and engagement, particularly in older populations.

  PDF

  0

• New Perspective in Elderly Care

  Marzanna Farnicka

  Views:

  3

  The aging of European societies requires new perspectives on old adults care that move beyond traditional medical approaches. This paper examines multidimensional frameworks supporting the well-being of older adults, based on comparative demographic data from Poland, Hungary, and the European Union. The analysis highlights both similarities and differences in life expectancy, health, and living conditions among people aged 65 and over. Empirical studies demonstrate that physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions of well-being are strongly interrelated. Psychological resources such as optimism, resilience, and positive beliefs about aging have measurable biological and behavioral effects. Equally vital are social participation and age-friendly environments that promote autonomy and dignity.

  The paper as a conceptual paper argues for a holistic, interdisciplinary, and participatory model of care in late adulthood that integrates medical, psychological, and social perspectives. Such an approach offers a sustainable path toward healthy, meaningful, and dignified aging in contemporary European societies.

  PDF

  0

• Modern Guidelines for Nutrition in Old Age: The Role of Preventive Diets in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases

  Brigitta Horváth

  Attila Péter Szabó

  Orsolya Savella

  Views:

  2

  Increased life expectancy, coupled with declining fertility rates, is leading to a global demographic shift towards an ageing population. The number of older people (aged 60 and over) is expected to more than double by 2050 and more than triple by 2100. From an individual perspective, this is a positive development, but at the societal level it poses a number of challenges in terms of managing people's health, quality of life, and economic circumstances. Although life expectancy is increasing, for many people the quality of life is declining, which can have a negative impact on both health and social institutions. The nutritional needs of older people differ from those of younger people, mainly due to age-related physiological changes. Their calorie requirements may decrease due to slower metabolism and reduced physical activity, but their requirements for certain macro- and micronutrients may increase. With advancing age, the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases increas, as does the risk of osteoporosis, cognitive decline, and disability. In order to maintain health in old age and prevent the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, it is important to reduce the intake of simple carbohydrates (to a maximum of 10% of total carbohydrate intake) and saturated fatty acids (to a maximum of 20–25 g per day), while ensuring adequate protein intake (1.0–1.2 g per kg of body weight) and consuming at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables per day. The salt intake of Hungarian seniors also significantly exceeds the recommended level (instead of 2 g per day, men over 65 consume 6.2 g and women consume 4.7 g), and fluid intake is insufficient, too (the recommended amount is 35 ml per kg of body weight). Among preventive strategies, nutrition is critical, yet it is currently underrepresented in the healthcare system and does not receive sufficient emphasis in care processes. A personalized healthy diet has significant benefits for older adults and can prevent, modify, or improve many age-related diseases and conditions. This review focuses on issues related to the nutrition and nutritional needs of older adults based on the latest guidelines. It also presents the most common complications resulting from poor nutrition and the possibilities for diet therapy.

  PDF

  0

• Growing Old and Being Gay or Lesbian in Malta: Anticipating Care in a Heteronormative Society

  Christian Vella

  Views:

  3

  Malta presents a unique paradox for sexual minority elders: it boasts some of the world’s most progressive LGBTIQ+ legislation, yet retains a deeply rooted, religiously conservative social fabric. This article explores how this paradox shapes the ageing experiences and anticipated care needs of older gay men and lesbian women. Drawing on critical gerontology and utilising the Biographic-Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM), to collect the data, using Thematic Analysis this study examins the life histories of participants aged 58 to 72. Findings reveal a pervasive fear of ‘re-closeting’ upon entry into long-term care, driven by a lifetime of navigating heteronormativity. A distinct gendered divergence emerged: while male participants largely embraced a gay identity, female participants frequently rejected the ‘lesbian’ label, adopting strategies of protective silence. The study challenges normative models of ‘successful ageing,’ highlighting instead the resilience found in ‘families of choice.’ The article concludes that despite legal equality, the lack of culturally competent care creates a precarious future for Maltese sexual minorities, necessitating urgent policy interventions and affirmative staff training to support ageing in place.

  PDF

  0

• Effectiveness of Self Compassion-Based Interventions on Elderly People: A Literature Review

  Emel Bahadır Yılmaz

  Views:

  6

  This review article is designed to evaluate the impact of self-compassion-based interventions on the physical, psychological, and social health of older adults. Recent studies support that high self-compassion enhances life satisfaction in older adults, strengthens resilience against physical and emotional challenges, and fosters a more positive adaptation to age-related changes. The evidence the impact of self-compassion-based interventions on the health of older adults shows that these approaches help elderly individuals better manage stress, control negative emotions, and reduce symptoms of depression, ultimately fostering greater resilience and life satisfaction. Integrating self-compassion with cognitive-behavioral or motor-based activities amplifies these effects, contributing to improved forgiveness, acceptance, and emotional adjustment. Furthermore, such interventions address important dimensions of mental health, including feelings of loneliness and the ability to form positive relationships, which are especially relevant for older individuals facing health challenges or living in residential care. Collectively, these findings underscore the value of self-compassion-focused programs in supporting successful aging and holistic mental health in later life. Given these findings, integrating self-compassion and mindfulness-based approaches into mental health programs for the elderly can offer valuable benefits.

  PDF

  3

• The Role of Health Cooperation in Building Aggregate Demand for Health Services

  Bassel Anwar Asaad

  Dana Dagher

  Mohammad Bassam Kashmar

  Zahraa Ammar Khadour

  Views:

  5

  Working in a team greatly improves health cooperation and helps propose innovative solutions for health issues. Furthermore, a multidisciplinary team has more overlapping roles defined by communication and troubleshooting. However, Demand for health services is significant as it is related to the social aspect of citizens’ health status in a country. Since it is significant, the current study focuses on a very important problem, which is the possibility of estimating the total social demand for health services through public-private sector cooperation in third-world countries, represented by Syria. Moreover, it endeavors to propose a model for estimating the total social demand for health services in the public and private sectors. The descriptive analytical approach was used, and the data were collected through cooperation between a team of health experts in various fields, depending on the available secondary data, interviews, and the observation and estimation of the primary data. The model design includes dividing the total demand into six dimensions, which are (demand for hospitals, demand for health centers, demand for medical clinics, demand for dental clinics, demand for pharmacies, and demand for laboratories). The study has the following result:  Health collaboration plays an important role in designing the proposed model and getting the missing health data needed.

  PDF

  1

• Digital games and active aging: The psychological, cognitive, and social aspects of online digital leisure in elderly years

  Szilvia Hujber-Mitru

  Katalin Balázs

  Views:

  3

  The study examines the digital leisure activities of older adults, especially video game use, in the context of active aging and digital well-being. These activities have complex psychological, social and health effects that are crucial in the modern interpretation of active aging. The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive overview of digital game use among elderly individuals with a specific focus on motivations, factors facilitating and hindering participation, their potential positive effects and risks, and the effects of digital games on cognitive, emotional and social functioning. Online games and digital game spaces, including e-sports and virtual reality-based applications, offer new opportunities for seniors in the areas of recreation, learning and social integration. The study highlights that digital games with adequate support and user-friendly design can be important tools for active and quality ageing.

  PDF (Hungarian)

  2

• The Social Faces of Elderly Poverty in Hungary

  Katalin Talyigás

  Views:

  3

  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.

  PDF (Hungarian)

  0

• Magyar Gerontológia/Hungarian Geronotology 17(44) 2025 Full Issue

  Views:

  1

  Dear Reader,

  It is with great pleasure that I present the latest 2025 issue of Magyar Gerontológia/Hungarian Gerontology, which explores the multifaceted nature of modern old age and the various opportunities to promote active aging. The aim of this issue is to provide an interdisciplinary framework for discussing the physical, psychological, and social factors that fundamentally determine the quality of life for older generations.

  The professional spectrum of this volume ranges from clinical prevention to digital leisure activities:

  • Physical Health and Prevention: You can read detailed analyses of the effectiveness of training programs designed to treat presarcopenia, as well as modern nutritional guidelines that play a key role in preventing chronic diseases.

  • Psychological Wellbeing and Methodology: We present the importance of interventions based on self-compassion in emotional adaptation. Additionally, we explore how the method of storytelling can support cognitive-behavioral therapy processes in overcoming anxiety.

  • The Digital World and Innovation: Special attention is paid to the role of online games and digital leisure, which serve as new tools for active aging by helping to maintain cognitive functions and social connections.

  • Social Challenges and Inclusion: Our authors address the hidden faces of elderly poverty in Hungary, as well as the specific care needs and fears of older adults belonging to marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community.

  • Systemic Approaches: We examine the role of health cooperation and public-private partnerships in developing care systems, arguing for a holistic and participatory model of care.

  I trust that the studies published in this issue will provide valuable theoretical and practical guidance for professionals, researchers, and all readers committed to improving the quality of life for the elderly.

  On behalf of the editorial board, I wish you a useful and thought-provoking read!

  Edina Molnar, Editor-in-Chief

  PDF (Hungarian)

  2