| Abstract [eng] |
The theoretical part of the work aims to reveal the phenomenon of aging, the construction of healthy aging and the peculiarities of social participation of old and elderly people in the context of social work. The qualitative study is intended to reveal the social participation of old and elderly people as a factor of successful aging and the peculiarities of social worker activities that promote social participation of old and elderly people in Ukraine. The quantitative study is intended to identify the characteristics of the social participation of old and elderly people and the actions of the social worker, which promote social participation, civic engagement and employment of old and elderly people, as well as respect for them and social inclusion. The research uses the following research methods: theoretical analysis, written interviews with open-ended questions, and questionnaire survey. Qualitative-interpretative (content analysis) method and analysis of statistics were used in the analysis of data. Interviews in writing, using open-ended questions, involved 14 old and elderly people and 8 social workers working with old and elderly people from Ukraine. The questionnaire survey included 102 old and elderly people living in an institution providing social care services or participating in the activities of an institution providing social services. The main findings of the study: the results of a qualitative study conducted in Ukraine revealed that old and elderly people, positioning personal social participation, emphasize social ties as an element of successful aging, perceiving it as a positive and frequent interaction with the nearest family and further relatives. Physical activity, highlighted by the element of exercise, and employment are perceived by the subjects as components of social participation, enhanced by participation in educational, cultural, religious and recreational activities. Successful aging is perceived by study participants through active civic action in the political or volunteering spheres, while the isolation of old and elderly people is reduced by increasing their social inclusion in organizations actualized through participation in decision-making. Social workers have highlighted the orientation of the social workers' activities, which promote social participation of old and elderly people as a factor of successful aging, in the direction of promoting the organization of employment (artistic, working, physical, recreational and educational) and the creation and maintenance of social relations. The successful aging of old and elderly people is perceived in the context of respect for the customer and the possibilities of organizing transport. During the quantitative study carried out in Lithuania, it was established that social participation of old and elderly people as a factor of successful aging is actualized by maintaining relations with family members, other relatives or friends by calling, writing, meeting, engaging in artistic activities in the context of theatre, art, music or other artistic circle activities, as well as physical activity, performing active physical movements in an open area or closed room. By promoting the social participation of old and elderly people, the social worker pays special attention to the performance of activities related to socio-cultural services with an emphasis on events and activities (from disseminating information about them to attracting members of the immediate community to an event or activity in order to promote social inclusion and thus reduce the isolation experienced by the old and elderly people). Successful aging is perceived as actively encouraging old and elderly people to engage in civic activities – firstly, volunteering, as the start and further development of which could take place in one of the non-governmental organizations ready to contribute to increasing the social participation of old and elderly people. |
