ESA 10th Conference
Geneva, 7-10 September 2011
Social Relations in Turbulent Times
'
RN'01'Ageing'in'Europe'
AGEING!IN!RUSSIA:!QUALITY!OF!LIFE!AND!SOCIAL!
POLICIES!REGARDING!SENIOR!CITIZENS!
Irina'Khiznyakova1'
1Public' Policy' Department,' National' Research' University' Higher'
School'of'Economics,'Moscow,'Russian'Federation'
Abstract:'For'Russia'it'is'important'to'develop'efficient'social'poli)
cies'regarding'senior'citizens'because'even'now'21,6%[1]'of'Russian' citizens' are' pensioners' and' this' number' is' growing.' But' do' they' have'real'opportunities'for'self)actualization'and'quality'life?! This'paper'discusses'the'data'of'the'research'aimed'to'explore'so) cial'policies'regarding'pensioners'and'quality'of'life'of'Russian'sen) ior' citizens.' Several' Russian' cities[2]' different' in' size,' economical' and' social' level' have' been' chosen' for' research.' In' each' of' these' cities' several' employees' of' different' governmental' and' non) governmental'organizations'working'with'older'people'were'inter) viewed[3].'About'a'hundred'of'pensioners'in'each'city'were'inter) viewed,'too[4].'
Research' discovers' that' governmental' organizations' provide' just' basic' needs:' basic' medical' services' and' small' retirement' benefits.' However,'pensions'provided'by'the'government'(which'is'the'only' source'of'income'for'most'pensioners)'are'reported'to'be'too'low' by' about' 90%' of' respondents.' Non)governmental' organizations' help' in' those' cases' where' government' is' weak.' But' non) governmental'organizations'do'not'have'enough'resources'to'help' everyone.'Some'of'interviewed'nonprofit'organizations'even'avoid' publicity'and'are'not'widely'known.'
Another'problem'is'lack'of'communications'between'organizations.' For' example,' there' are' several' gerontology' centers' in' Russia' but' they'do'not'use'best'practices'of'each'other'because'they'do'not' share' their' experience.' Of' course' it' slows' down' development' of' gerontology.'
Communications' with' society,' leisure' activities' and' opportunities' for'self)actualization'are'aspects'of'life'quality.'But'there'is'lack'of' dialogue' between' pensioners' and' society' in' Russia.' Most' of' pen) sioners' don’t' know' how' to' use' Internet' or' have' no' access' to' it;' there' are' few' TV)programs,' newspapers' and' entertainments' for' pensioners.'Pensioners'are'often'left'alone.'
Government' has' no' efficient' policy' regarding' senior' citizens.' Pen) sioners'should'have'information'about'their'rights'and'opportuni) ties.'
[1]'http://www.gks.ru'
[2]' Moscow,' Saint' Petersburg,' Orel,' Tuimazy,' Novokuznetsk,' Ufa,' Kazan,'Prokopevsk,'Naberezhnye'Chelny.' [3]'About'5)10'interview'in'each'city' [4]'About'100)200'feedback'forms'in'each'city'
CONSUMPTION,!PRACTICES!AND!SOCIABILITY!IN!THE!
LIFE!COURSE.!LEAVE!THE!LABOUR!MARKET!AS!A!
TURNING!POINT?!
Hélène'Eraly1'1Laboratoire' d'anthropologie' prospective,' UNIVERSITÉ' CATHO)
LIQUE'DE'LOUVAIN,'Louvain)la)Neuve,'Belgium'
Abstract:'This'communication'aims'to'understand'the'relationship'
between' retirement' and' consumption' patterns.' More' specifically' we'analyse'the'consumption'practices'across'three'items:'yoga,'car' and' gifts.' These' three' items' refer' respectively' to' the' body' aging,' spatiality'and'sociability.'Older'age'is'considered'in'this'paper,'not' in'terms'of'active'retirement,'but'as'a'step'in'the'life'course'(Ab) bott,' Sewell,' Caradec,' Membrado).' Consumption' is' analysed' in' terms'of'practices'rather'than'economic'exchange'(Warde).' This'communication'is'based'on'qualitative'and'inductive'approach.' Semi'structured'interviews'are'conducted'with'people'aged'55'to' 67'years,'having'left'the'labour'market'(retirees,'pre)retirees,'dis) ease,'older'unemployed).'
INDIVIDUALS’!VIEWS!ON!PENSIONS!AND!PENSION!
REFORMS!IN!AN!AGEING!SOCIETY.!NEW!EVIDENCE!
FROM!FOCUS!GROUPS!AND!INGDEPTH!INTERVIEWS!
Katrin'Prinzen1' 1Institute'for'Sociology,'UNIVERSITY'OF'COLOGNE,'Koeln,'Germany' Abstract:'Whereas'there'is'a'huge'public'discourse'on'pension're) forms'in'an'ageing'society,'we'know'little'about'individuals’'views' on'this'topic.'I'conduct'an'analysis'of'what'people'think'about'the' pension'system'and'pension'reforms'in'an'ageing'society.'I'analyze' qualitative'data'of'12'focus'groups'and'12'in)depth'interviews'con) ducted' in' Germany' (2009)2011)' that' were' stratified' by' education' and'age.'Both'characteristics'matter'as'they'are'standard'explana) tory'factors'for'welfare'state'attitudes'and'I'thus'expect'to'capture' a'wide'heterogeneity'of'attitudes.'Additionally,'age'is'important'as' it' determines' the' membership' to' a' certain' generation' that' gains' similar' experiences' with' regard' to' the' pension' system' in' certain' demographic' settings.' The' thematic' analysis' of' verbal' statements' gives'a'good'picture'of'how'individuals'perceive'the'pension'system' and'its'current'reforms'in'the'context'of'an'ageing'society.'paper'discusses'the'implications'of'the'qualitative'findings'for'the' German'pension'system'and'its'legitimacy.'It'concludes'by'present) ing'inductive'theses'that'can'be'tested'in'quantitative'studies.'
THE!POLITICAL!PARTICIPATION!OF!THE!ELDERLY!
PEOPLE!IN!THE!CZECH!REPUBLIC!
Marcela'Petrová'Kafková'1*,'Lucie'Vidovićová'2' 1Fakulty'of'Social'Studies,'2IVRIS'FSS,'MASARYK'UNIVERSITY,'Brno,' Czech'Republic' Abstract:'The'stereotyped'view'of'elderly'people'as'politically'pas) sive'persons'not'participating'in'the'public'sphere'has'been'rebut) ted'by'many'researches'in'post)industrial'countries.'On'the'contra) ry,'it'is'becoming'apparent'that'elderly'people'are'highly'politically' active,'especially'in'those'forms'which'do'not'require'any'high'ac) tivity.'Classical'examples'are'high'election'turnout'and'party'mem) bership.'The'high'election'turnout'of'elderly'people'is'visible'in'the' Czech'Republic'nowadays.'This'could'not'be'seen'at'the'beginning' of' the' 90s' because' the' launching' of' country' transformation' to) wards' the' democratic' system' was' accompanied' by' exceptionally' high' public' interest' in' political' affairs.' The' election' turnout' in' the' first'free'parliamentary'election'in'1990'was'97%.'The'next'devel) opment'has'brought'phenomena'known'from'west'European'coun) tries'–'decline'of'election'turnout'in'the'political'field'and'the'se) cond' demographic' transition' with' extensive' population' ageing' in' the'demographic'field.'Elderly'people'have'become'a'group'that'is' highly'interested'in'political'affairs'and'is'watching'political'issues'in' mass'media'most'intensively.' My'paper'is'based'on'a'data'analysis'from'European/Values/Study/ (EVS)'which'surveyed'data'in'the'Czech'Republic'in'1991,'1999'and' 2008.'Due'to'the'longitudinal'nature'of'the'data'not'only'the'cur) rent' political' participation' of' elderly' people' has' been' researched' but'mainly'their'development'and'changes'in'the'past'two'decades.' I' focused' not' only' on' differences' between' elderly' people’s' and' young' people’s' participation' but' also' the' disputability' of' the' gen) eral'image'of'elderly'people'as'a'source'of'votes'for'left)wing'par) ties.'CIVIC!ENGAGEMENT!OF!OLDER!PEOPLE!IN!RUSSIA!
Timur'Zulkarnaev1'
1HIGHER' SCHOOL' OF' ECONOMICS' MOSCOW,' Moscow,' Russian'
Federation'
Abstract:' The' number' of' older' people' is' growing' very' fast.' The'
number'of'Russians'aged'60)64'increased'in'2040'by'60%'and'over' 80'years')'more'than'120%[1].'Today'we'can'see,'that'the'role'and' participation' of' older' people' in' various' organizations' and' social' movements'through'which'they'can'convey'to'the'public'their'posi) tions'are'increasing.'But'this'situation'is'typical'only'for'West'coun) tries,'but'not'for'Russia.'The'image'of'ageing'in'Russia'is'negative.'It' is'believed'that'when'a'person'reaches'old'age'(or'having'retired)' he'lives'out'his'years,'not'realizing'that'life'can'start'in'this'period.' So'older'people'are'below'the'public'life.'That'is'why'the'problem' of'civic'engagement'of'older'people'requires'extensive'research.' There'are'two'main'purposes:'
1.' To' study' how' the' civic' engagement' is' developed' in' Russia' and' abroad.' 2.'To'see'what'can'be'useful'in'foreign'experience,'and'how'it'can' be'applied'in'Russia.' According'to'these'objectives'there'are'three'aims'of'the'research:' a)How'is'the'inclusion'of'senior'citizens'realized'in'the'discussion'of' political,'social'programs?'
c)' How' are' the' older' people' involved' in' self)government' at' the' local'level?'
Older'people'in'Russia'connect'most'of'their'problems'not'with'the' material' well)being' (45%),' but' with' the' psychological' moments' (55%)[2].' About' 40%' of' interviewed' older' Russian' people' have' a' proactive' stance' and' participate' in' several' organizations.[3]' Not' only' NGO’s' but' also' state' authorities' declare' that' the' Western' (mostly' Scandinavian)' system' of' working' with' the' elderly' is' the' best.'
1.'Civic'participation'of'the'elderly'in'Russia'is'at'a'low'level.' 2.' There' is' a' potential' for' the' development' of' the' civic' participa) tion,'which'is'incorporated'in'the'pensioners'themselves,'because' they'become'more'active.'
3.' Some' useful' experience' is' accumulated' in' Western' countries,' which' can' be' successfully' adapted' in' Russia' (volunteering,' older' people'as'consultants'and'other)'
[1]The' project' «Creating' the' conditions' of' realizing' the' social' po) tential'of'senior'citizens'at'the'municipal'level»'HSE.' [2]The'results'of'the'interviews'with'the'representatives'of'organi) zations'specializing'in'working'with'older'people.' [3]Based'on'the'depth'interviews'with'the'older'people'in'several' Russian'countries.'
INTERGENERATIONAL!RELATIONSHIPS!OF!ELDERLY!
RUSSIANGSPEAKING!MIGRANTS!–!AN!ISRAELIG
GERMAN!COMPARISON!
Sharon'Shiovitz)Ezra'1,'Claudia'Vogel'2*' 1The'Hebrew'University'of'Jerusalem,'Jerusalem,'Israel,'2University' of'Vechta,'Vechta,'Germany' Abstract:'In'modern'ageing'societies,'families'face'new'challenges' regarding'care'for'the'growing'elderly'population'and'exchange'of' support'between'generations.'Although'migrant'families'in'ageing' societies'generally'face'the'same'challenges'regarding'the'provision' for'old'age,'very'little'is'known'about'their'ageing'and'familial'ex) change'processes'in'the'countries'of'destination.' We'study'the'familial'exchange'of'resources'and'the'development' of' intergenerational' relationships' in' migrant' families.' Specifically' we' investigate' the' structure' and' the' development' of' the' social' networks' that' are' available' to' them' in' case' of' need' and' the' ex) change'of'help'within'their'families.''
With'the'Israeli'data'from'2010'of'the'Survey'of'Health,'Ageing'and' Retirement' in' Europe' (SHARE)' –' a' representative' analysis' of' the' intergenerational' relations' within' families' of' Russian)speaking' mi) grants' is' possible.' A' different' research' strategy' however' is' neces) sary' for' the' analysis' of' intergenerational' exchange' among' elderly' migrants'in'Germany.'Consequently'we'will'conduct'a'supplemen) tary'survey'among'Russian'migrant'families'in'selected'counties'of' Lower'Saxony'based'on'about'500'telephone'interviews.' We'expect'to'find'some'similarities'among'Russian'migrants'in'both' countries'of'destination'with'some'differences'that'are'mainly'due' to'cultural'norms'and'welfare'arrangements.'
OLDER!IMMIGRANTS!AND!SOCIAL!INEQUALITIES:!
STATE!OF!THE!ART,!ARISING!QUESTIONS!AND!
METHODOLOGICAL!CHALLENGES!
Claudio'Bolzman'1,'Etienne'Christe'1,'Laure'Kaeser'1,'Ülkü'Dagli1' 1GRADUATE' SCHOOL' OF' SOCIAL' WORK,' UNIVERSITY' OF' APPLIED'
SCIENCES'WESTERN'SWITZERLAND,'Geneva,'Switzerland'
Abstract:'Various'papers'published'in'Switzerland'and'elsewhere'in'
Europe'have'highlighted'an'improvement'in'the'living'conditions'of' new'cohorts'reaching'retirement'age.'However,'these'findings'con) cerning' an' improvement' in' the' living' conditions' of' older' people' were' not,' for' reasons' of' cost' and' language' difficulties,' based' on' samples'that'were'sufficiently'large'or'representative'of'the'popu) lation'of'former'immigrant'workers!who'reach'retirement'age'and! have' to' face' up' to' the' problems' of' ageing.' These' people,' who' mostly'came'from'countries'of'southern'and'eastern'Europe'as'well' as'countries'of'the'developing'world,'nevertheless'make'up'a'signif) icant' fraction' of' the' working' class' in' the' countries' of' central' and' northern'Europe,'having'been'recruited'for'the'most'part'between' the'1950s'and'the'early'1970s'to'do'low)skilled'jobs.'The'result'is' that' studies' on' ageing' in' European' societies' largely' fail' to' reflect' the'situation'of'a'significant'part'of'the'older'working)class'popula) tion.'
On'the'other'hand,'there'are'already'some'specific'studies'on'the' relationship'between'age'and'migration.'These'local'studies'show' that' older' migrants' have' specific' life' trajectories,' conditions' and' level' of' well' being' compared' to' the' general' population.' This' sug) gests' that' they' may' have' special' needs' and' will' have' to' require' particular' resources' to' face' old' age.' This' paper' will' underline' the' main'results'that'arise'from'an'overview'of'the'international'scien) tific'literature'and'will'present'a'methodological'strategy'elaborat) ed' to' compare' the' situation' of' older' immigrants' and' Swiss' born' within' the' framework' of' a' Sinergia' project' financed' by' the' Swiss' National'Scientific'Foundation.'
RELIGION!AND!WELLGBEING!OF!FINNISH!OLDER!
ADULTS!IN!COSTA!DEL!SOL,!SPAIN!
Jenni'Anna)Liisa'Spännäri'1,'Antti'Karisto1' 1UNIVERSITY'OF'HELSINKI,'Helsinki,'Finland'
Abstract:' The' debate' on' “ageing' well”' has' in' the' recent' years' ex)
tended' it’s' scope' towards' values,' morality' and' spirituality' –' ele) ments'traditionally'sustained'by'and'interlocked'with'religion.'This' paper'takes'a'multi)dimensional'approach'both'to'ageing'well'and' religion'in'the'lives'of'older'adults.'
The' study' is' based' on' qualitative' data' (texts' and' interviews)' and' quantitative' data' (a' questionnaire' survey)' of' Finnish' older' adults' residing' in,' during' the' winter' season' or' otherwise,' or' frequently' visiting' the' Spanish' Costa' del' Sol.' The' Finnish' pensioners' in' Spain' form'an'interesting'winterbird'community,'with'a'great'geograph) ical' distance' but' mental' proximity' to' the' country' of' provenance,' and'with'religious'organizations'at'the'hub'of'social'life.'A'specific' feature'is'also'the'abundance'of'engagement'with'religious'activi) ties'among'persons'considering'themselves'none'too'religious.' The'data'demonstrates'that'spirituality,'religious'activities'and'reli) gious'communities'play'various'roles'in'the'social'and'personal'lives' of'older'adults,'and'that'religion'in'its'multiple'forms'can'support' well)being'in'older'age'via'various'dimensions'of'good'ageing.'This' paper'aims'to'point'out'the'factors'contributing'to'this'phenome) non,' to' identify' the' processes' where' these' factors' promote' good' ageing' and' to' suggest' ways' to' support' these' processes' in' other' communities.'Also'the'future'of'religion'as'an'element'of'well)being' for'the'older'adults'is'discussed.'
THE!SIGNIFICANCE!OF!ETHNICITY!IN!PENSIONS:!A!
QUANTITATIVE!OVERVIEW!
Orla'Gough'1,'Anita'Sharma'1,'Roberta'Adami'1,'Andrea'Carosi'2'
1WESTMINSTER' BUSINESS' SCHOOL,' London,' United' Kingdom,' 2University'of'Bologna,'Bologna,'Italy'
Abstract:' The' research' provides' an' overview' of' the' variation' in'
employment' patterns,' pension' participation' and' poverty' levels' at' retirement'between'the'white'majority'and'ethnic'minorities'in'the' UK'and'highlights'differences'between'the'various'ethnic'minority' groups.' Using' data' from' the' Family' Resources' Survey' (FRS)' from' 1997' to' 2007' we' show' the' differences' that' still' exist' in' terms' of' employment' status,' income,' pension' contributions' and' pension' benefits'between'ethnic'minorities'and'the'white'majority.'We'use' socio)economic' and' demographic' variables' such' as' age,' gender,' income,'education'and'family'background'as'indicators'of'an'indi) vidual’s'future'retirement'income.'Our'analysis'spans'across'differ) ent'age'groups'including'those'in'the'early'stages'of'their'working' life' as' well' as' those' aged' 65+' who' are' already' in' retirement.' We' show' how' disadvantage' in' the' labour' market' affects' retirement' prospects'of'ethnic'minorities'and'often'leads'to'poverty'in'old'age.' By'comparing'the'first'generation'of'immigrants'to'Britain'with'the' younger' second' generation' in' terms' of' employment,' income' and' pension' contributions,' we' provide' an' insight' into' the' current' and' future' attitudes' to' retirement' planning' among' ethnic' minority' groups.'
TRANSBORDER!IDEALS!OF!CARE:!ELDERLY!TURKISHG
BORN!MIGRANTS!IN!SWEDEN!
Öncel'Naldemirci1'
1Department' of' Sociology,' UNIVERSITY' OF' GOTHENBURG,' Göte)
borg,'Sweden'
Abstract:' The' number' of' elderly' migrants' in' Europe' is' increasing.'
policies'and'the'tension'between'universal'right'to'receive'care'and' culturally'informed'ideals,'norms'and'practices.'In'the'example'of' elderly' care,' certain' cultural' patterns' are' demanded' as' an' im) portant' component' of' care' giving' and' receiving.' Nevertheless,' there'are'also'significant'divergences'from'cultural'norms,'depend) ing'on'different'biographies'and'contexts'in'which'care'encounters' happen.' In' this' paper' I' argue' that' transborder' citizens' live' also' across'the'borders'of'countries'in'terms'of'their'imagination,'aspi) ration' and' deployment' of' care' relations' and' resources.' They' con) coct' their' imagination' about' care' through' different' identifications' and'encountering'different'ideals'and'practices.'Following'an'ongo) ing'ethnographic'research'with'Turkish)born'elderly'in'Sweden,'this' paper'aims'to'describe'and'discuss'particular'stories'of'frail'old'age' which'are'anchored'in'the'context'of'migration'and'to'add'another' significant'layer'into'the'complexity'of'care.'
AGING!AND!THE!OLD!AGE!IN!THE!CONTEXT!OF!
CHANGING!CITIES!
Dana'Sykorova1'1Department' of' Social' Sciences,' FACULTY' OF' SOCIAL' STUDIES,'
UNIVERSITY'OF'OSTRAVA,'Ostrava,'Czech'Republic'
Abstract:'The'paper'aims'at'opening'debate'about'the'specific'as)
pects'of'aging'and'old'age,'especially'focusing'on'the'examination' of' the' relationship' between' old' age,' resp.' seniors' and' the' urban' environment.'It'covers'the'issues'that'are'currently'not'at'the'cen) ter'of'attention'of'the'(Czech)'gerontosociology'research.'
The' author' tries' to' dispute' the' generally' persisting' tendency' to' characterize' the' cities' as' areas' that' are' unsuitable' and' hazardous' for'the'´aging'in'place´'as'well'as'the'tendency'to'interpret'the'con) sequences' of' the' urban' development' processes' in' terms' of' social' exclusion.' Therefore' she' brings' the' question' whether' the' actual' lived'experience'of'aging'and'old'age'in'the'city'corresponds'with' the'generally'accepted'notion.'
The'research'has'been'carried'out'as'a'part'of'the'project'´Ageing'in' the'Environment:'Regeneration,'Gentrification'and'Social'Exclusion' as' New' Issues' in' Environmental' Gerontology´' supported' by' the' Grant'Agency'of'the'Czech'Republic'(No.'P404/10/1555).'The'rele) vant' data' have' been' collected' by' the' methods' of' focused' groups' and'semi)structured'interviews.'
The'presented'results'of'the'qualitative'data'analysis'are'indicating' that'the'picture'of'everyday'life'of'the'elderly'inhabitants'in'urban' areas'as'well'as'their'strategies'of'coping'with'the'possible'negative' impacts' of' the' urban' changes' on' their' quality' of' life' seem' to' be' rather'plastic'and'multidimensional.'
AGEING!SINGLE!MEN!IN!RURAL!AREAS!
Magnus'Nilsson1'
1KARLSTAD'UNIVERSITY,'Karlstad,'Sweden'
Abstract:' The' rural' context' has' consequences' for' the' ways' that'
gender' structures' the' lives' of' people' throughout' the' life' course,' both'materially'and'socially.'Norms'of'masculinity'remains'strong'in' rural'areas'and'there'is'less'room'for'deviations'than'in'urban'are) as.'This'is'not'least'connected'to'the'scarcity'of'meeting'places,'and' above'all'to'that'of'alternative'spaces.'Men'in'rural'areas'who'have' remained'unmarried'throughout'their'lives'and'live'without'a'part) ner'tend'to'live'in'the'areas'where'they'were'born.'The'identity'and' ways'of'living'of'unmarried'men'is'often'tied'to'the'places'where' they'live,'but'it'is'also'connected'to'notions'of'heterosexuality'and' couplehood.' In' this' paper' I' will' explore' the' ways' that' unmarried' and'childless'older'men'talk'about'relationships'and'childlessness'in' relation' to' norms' of' masculinity' and' heterosexuality,' notions' of' ageing,'growing'old'and'approaching'death.'
NATIVE!MINORITY!LANGUAGE!AS!RESOURCE!OF!
EVERY!DAY!LIFE!IN!OLD!AGE!IN!TORNE!VALLEY,!NORTH!
SWEDEN!
Tarja'Tellervo'Tapio1'
1Health' care' and' social' services,' UNIVERSITY' OF' APPLIED' SCIENCE'
OF'KEMI)TORNIO,'Kemi,'Finland'
Abstract:' Only' the' members' of' the' oldest' generations' are' still'
speaking'the'native'Meänkieli,'a'recognised'minority'language'spo) ken' in' villages' in' Torne' Valley,' North' Sweden.' Using' their' native' language'separates'them'from'wider'Swedish)speaking'society'and' members'of'the'younger'generations'that'speak'only'Swedish.'Ad) ditionally'Meänkieli'is'a'spoken'language'and'people'cannot'write' or'read'in'it,'even'though'they'speak'it'on'a'daily'basis.'Despite'this,' it'is'a'crucial'resource'for'the'everyday'life'of'the'oldest'Meänkieli) speaking'generations.'The'importance'of'using'the'native'language' is'not'only'a'question'of'communication'and'speaking:'it'also'rein) forces'agency'and'provides'continuity.'In'my'paper'I'will'focus'on' the'way'native'language'in'Torne'Valley'emerges'as'a'resource'for' the'oldest'generation'belonging'to'an'ethnic'and'national'minority,' tornionlaaksolaiset.The'research'took'place'in'a'small,'rural'village' of'less'than'140'residents'in'Torne'Valley,'near'the'Arctic'Circle.'A' group' of' seven' native' speakers,' aged' between' 65' and' 75,' partici) pated'in'the'research'process.'Storytelling'was'used'as'a'research' method'and'the'stories'were'recorded'in'the'village'in'2005.Telling' stories' in' Meänkieli' is' a' way' of' articulating' ethnic' identity' and' knowledge'based'on'the'traditional'way'of'life'in'Torne'Valley.'I'will' illustrate'the'way'native'language'forms'a'resource'for'the'daily'life' of'the'oldest'local'generation.'I'will'also'explain'the'research'pro) cess' in' which' native)language' storytelling' was' used' as' a' research' method.' The' paper' is' based' on' my' doctoral' thesis,' published' re) cently'at'the'University'of'Jyväskylä,'Finland.'
RETIREMENT!–!NOT!NECESSARILY!A!FAREWELL!TO!
YOUR!WORKPLACE!
Anne'Inga'Hilsen'1,'Robert'Salomon1'
1WORK'RESEARCH'INSTITUTE,'Oslo,'Norway'
Abstract:' Due' to' financial' and' demographic' reasons,' many' coun)
tries' are' trying' to' increase' the' actual' retirement' age.' Pension' re) forms'are'taking'place'in'countries'as'France,'Greece'and'the'UK.' Norway'has'recently'introduced'a'new'pension'reform'from'Janu) ary' 1st' 2011' to' encourage' longer' work' life' careers.' The' reform' is' flexible'in'the'sense'that'people'can'retire'at'the'age'of'62'with'a' modest' pension.' Their' pension' rights' will' then' improve' for' every' year'they'work'beyond'62'years'to'75'years.'
'
of' organisational' orientations' towards' older' workers.' This' paper' will'focus'on'a'possible'fourth'phase'at'the'end'of'the'working'ca) reer'as'well'as'the'transition'from'work'to'retirement.'The'fourth' phase'consists'of'both'an'economic'and'a'social'link'between'em) ployer'and'employee.' Our'contribution'will'be'based'on'empirical'data'from'a'Norwegian' case'study'of'nine'separate'workplaces.'The'nine'cases'include'the' state'sector,'municipalities'and'private'companies.'The'researchers' interviewed' managers,' employees,' and' pensioners' from' the' case' enterprises' as' well' as' the' unions' in' each' of' the' cases,' using' both' individual'qualitative'interviews'and'focus'groups.'
The' paper' will' present' a' comparative' study' of' the' economic' link,' demonstrating'how'pensioners'and'management'enter'into'certain' flexible'and'(often)'short'term'paid'assignments'in'the'cases.'Fur) thermore,' the' paper' will' examine' some' cases' of' social' links' be) tween' pensioners' and' their' previous' workplaces,' and' how' they' function'and'are'assessed'by'the'pensioners'and'management.'We' will'also'discuss'how'established'links'may'be'threatened'by'mer) gers' and' restructuring' processes.' Finally,' we' will' analyze' how' the' economic'and'social'links'are'functioning'together,'especially'illus) trated'by'observations'on'flexible'symbiosis'between'a'hotel,'local' workers'and'the'whole'community.' The'paper'will'contribute'to'further'development'of'action'theories' concerning'policies'for'older'workers.'
WISDOM!AND!SOCIAL!UNCERTAINTY:!LEARNING!
FROM!OLDER!PEOPLE!
Ricca'Edmondson1'1School' of' Political' Science' and' Sociology,' NATIONAL' UNIVERSITY'
OF'IRELAND'GALWAY,'Galway,'Ireland'
Abstract:' From' the' earliest' discussions' of' wisdom' onwards,' this'
trait' (or' set' of' practices' or' abilities)' has' been' associated' with' the' capacity' to' tolerate' the' uncertainty' and' contingency' of' human' circumstances,' both' personal' and' public' or' political.' The' paper' begins'by'interrogating'some'standard'debates'on'wisdom'as'well' as'examples'of'‘wise’'older'people'in'historical'and'contemporary' literature,'in'an'attempt'to'become'clearer'about'what'this'capacity' is'thought'to'entail.'It'uses'these'debates'and'examples'to'contrast' the'structure'of'wise'arguing,'which'characteristically'begins'from' premises'which'acknowledge'uncertainty'in'a'number'of'ways,'with' personal'and'public'interactions'which'attempt'to'respond'to'con) ditions' of' uncertainty.' There' are,' it' suggests,' a' range' of' ways' in' which' ‘wisdom’' classically' promises' to' offer' resources' here.' It' ex) plores'some'interrelations'between'them'and'shows'how'they'are' reflected'in'contemporary'ethnographic'evidence.'
The' paper' distinguishes' between' conditions' of' uncertainty' which' characteristically'hold'sway'in'different'ways'in'different'life'stages,' and'conditions'of'uncertainty'which'are'perceived'as'holding'sway' across'entire'societies'and'generations'(though'the'equality'of'their' distribution'is'disputed).'Can'we'acquire'evidence,'from'documen) tary' sources' or' from' ethnographic' interviews,' that' casts' light' on' how' the' development' of' wisdom' or' wise' practices' supports' indi) viduals,'families'or'other'groups'in'dealing'with'the'potentially'un) dermining'effects'of'different'sources'of'social'uncertainty?' Lastly,'older'age'itself,'in'most'contemporary'versions'of'its'social' construction,'poses'specific'challenges'to'the'imaginative'negotia) tion'of'human'lifetime.'The'paper'therefore'tries'to'become'clearer' about'whether'responses'to'uncertainty'associated'with'‘wisdom’' offer'support'in'predicaments'related'to'these'challenges'in'partic) ular.'
A!TASTE!OF!WHAT’S!TO!COME:!CHANGES!IN!
INDIVIDUAL!EXPECTATIONS!ON!AGEING!AND!LATER!
LIFE!IN!TIMES!OF!WELFARE!STATE!REFORMS!AND!
ECONOMIC!CRISES!
Andreas'Motel)Klingebiel'1,'Julia'Simonson1' 1GERMAN'CENTRE'OF'GERONTOLOGY,'Berlin,'Germany' Abstract:'Resources,'needs'and'evaluations'are'dimensions'of'qual) ity'of'life'and'pre)conditions'for'autonomy'and'life'planning.'Projec) tions' of' older' people’s' future' living' standards' in' Europe' predict' declining' levels' and' increasing' inequality' due' to' pension' reforms' and' changing' employment' patterns.' Effects' of' ongoing' economic' crises' need' also' to' be' considered' as' well' as' changing' needs,' ex) penditures'and'values'of'older'people.'Recent' data' from' the' German' Ageing' Survey' (DEAS)' demonstrate' stable'socio)economic'resources'and'increasing'inequalities'among' retirees.' The' most' important' trend' over' time' is' a' remarkable' in) crease'in'concerns'about'future'living'standards'which'is'very'signif) icant'from'a'social'policy'as'well'as'from'a'gerontological'perspec) tive.'Based'on'this'data,'the'presentation'calls'for'its'sources'and' conclusions' to' be' drawn.' It' presents' descriptive' information' and' results' from' multi)level' modelling.' It' heightens' awareness' of' changes'in'later'life'due'to'reforms'and'crises'and'will'contribute'to' a'wider'understanding'of'multi)level'interactions'between'individu) al'resources,'evaluations'and'societal'development.'
The'DEAS'is'an'enduring'representative'cross)sectional'and'longitu) dinal'survey'of'those'aged'over'40'(n=8.200'in'2008)'in'Germany,' funded' by' the' Federal' Ministry' for' Family' Affairs,' Senior' Citizens,' Women'and'Youth'(BMFSFJ).'
Three'hypotheses'–'a)'hypothesis'of'social'structure'effects,'b)'hy) pothesis'of'cohort'change'of'later'life,'c)'hypothesis'of'differentia) tion'of'inequality'patterns'–'are'tested'and'mostly'supported'by'the' study.' Analyses' show' that' increasing' concerns' influence' the' indi) viduals''demands'for'welfare'state'intervention.'Concerns'interact' with'income'and'portfolio'structures'but'are'partly'independent'of' education' and' gender.' Moreover,' differences' between' regions' mirror'context'effects.'
EXTENDING!THE!EMPIRICAL!BASIS!FOR!WEALTH!
INEQUALITY!RESEARCH!USING!STATISTICAL!
MATCHING!OF!ADMINISTRATIVE!AND!SURVEY!DATA!
Anika'Rasner'1,'Joachim'R.'Frick'1,'Markus'M.'Grabka1'
1Socio)Economic'Panel,'DIW'Berlin,'Berlin,'Germany'
Abstract:' Social' security' entitlements' are' a' substantial' source' of'
from' the' administrative' records.' The' unique' properties' of' the' linked' data' allow' for' a' straight' control' of' the' quality' of' matches' under' each' technique.' Based' on' three' evaluation' criteria,' Ma=
halanobis/ distance/ matching/ performs' best.' Exploiting' the' ad)
vantages'of'the'newly'assembled'data,'the'authors'include'SSW'in'a' wealth' inequality' analysis.' The' analysis' shows' to' what' extent' the' inclusion'of'social'security'wealth'affects'the'level'and'the'distribu) tion' of' individual' net' worth' as' well' as' overall' inequality.' The' pre) sent'value'of'pension'entitlements'(including'entitlements'from'the' statutory' pension' system' as' well' as' from' the' separate' system' for' civil' servants)' amounts' to' 5.6' trillion' Euros,' which' corresponds'to' an'average'of'78,500'Euros'per'person'–'thus'almost'doubling'the' level'of'net'worth.'Compared'to'results'based'on'net'worth'only,' inequality'of'our'amended'wealth'measure'is'about'25'percent'less.' Moreover,' we' present' significant' differences' in' pension' entitle) ments'across'occupational'groups'with'civil'servants'gaining'most' from'the'inclusion'of'public'pension'wealth'in'the'extended'wealth' measure'and'self)employed'benefiting'the'least.'Overall,'our'results' provide'clear'indication'for'the'relevance'of'including'the'notional' wealth'held'in'pension'entitlements'providing'a'less'biased'picture' of'the'level'and'the'socio)economic'structure'of'wealth'in'Germa) ny.' Above' and' beyond' such' within)country' variation,' our' findings' may'also'be'most'relevant'for'comparative'analyses'across'welfare) regimes.'
INFLUENCING!POLICY!DEVELOPMENT!FOR!OLDER!
PEOPLE!IN!IRELAND:!IMPACT!OF!THE!RECESSION!
Aine'Ni'Leime'1*'
1Irish' Centre' for' Social' Gerontology,' NATIONAL' UNIVERSITY' OF'
IRELAND,'GALWAY,'Galway,'Ireland'
Abstract:' This' paper' considers' the' strategies' used' by' civil' society'
organisations'(CSO’s)'representing'older'people'who'are'engaged'in' social' partnership' in' Ireland' in' achieving' their' goal' of' developing' policy'to'enhance'the'lives'of'older'people.'It'explores'the'impact' that' the' recession' has' had' on' their' level' and' manner' of' engage) ment' with' social' partnership' and' with' the' wider' political' system.' Ireland'has'introduced'the'concept'of'the'Developmental'Welfare' State'and'the'Life'Cycle'approach'to'social'policy'development'and' service'provision.'This'approach'places'the'individual'at'the'heart'of' policy' provision' and' development' and' acknowledges' that' people' may'encounter'particular'vulnerabilities'based'on'their'stage'of'the' life' cycle.' Certain' civil' society' organisations' have' been' given' an' opportunity'to'influence'policy'development'and'service'delivery'in' Ireland'as'part'of'the'Community'and'Voluntary'Pillar'(CVP)'in'social' partnership.'The'CVP'is'one'of'five'pillars'(employers,'trade'unions,' farmers'and'the'environmental'grouping)'that'are'directly'consult) ed' regarding' policy' development' in' Ireland.' This' paper' considers' the'specific'institutional'environment'in'which'civil'society'organi) sations' representing' older' people' operate' and' the' level' of' re) sources' they' have' to' draw' upon;' it' draws' some' comparisons' be) tween'the'operation'of'civil'society'organisations'in'the'older'peo) ples’' stage' and' those' in' other' life' cycle' stages' (Children,' People' with'Disabilities'and'People'of'Working'Age).'
The'paper'is'based'on'a'study'that'consulted'all'seventeen'organi) sations'involved'in'the'Community'and'Voluntary'Pillar'using'a'Par) ticipatory'Action'Research'(PAR)'methodology.'The'advantages'and' challenges'of'using'this'methodology'will'be'discussed.'
The' paper' concludes' that' CSO’s' representing' older' people' in' Ire) land'are'potentially'significant'agents'for'policy'transformation'and'
for' the' protection' of' existing' rights' for' older' people.' However' as' might' be' predicted' by' a' political' economy' approach' to' ageing,' a' global'crisis'such'as'the'current'recession'can'have'severe'impacts' on' their' efficacy' and' highlights' the' need' for' strategic' adaptability' on'theiir'part.'
NORDIC!SOCIAL!SERVICE!STATES!IN!ELDER!CARE!
Minna'Zechner'1,'Lina'Van'Aerschot'2'
1School'of'Health'Care'and'Social'Work,'SEINÄJOKI'UNIVERSITY'OF'
APPLIED' SCIENCES,' Seinäjoki,'2School' of' Social' Sciences' and' Hu)
manities,'University'of'Tampere,'Tampere,'Finland'
Abstract:'Nordic'welfare'states'have'been'referred'to'as'social'ser)
vice' states,' meaning' that' a' great' part' of' the' public' support' is' of) fered'to'citizens'as'services'instead'of'insurance)based'social'secu) rity'systems'(Anttonen'1990).'This'paper'looks'firstly'at'the'idea'of' a'social'service'state'and,'secondly,'examines'with'the'help'of'in) ternational'and'national'statistics'whether'the'Nordic'countries'of' Denmark,' Finland,' Norway' and' Sweden' can' be' defined' as' social' service'states'in'elder'care.'
'
The' paper' will' discuss' recent' developments' in' long)term' care' re) forms'in'Portugal'and'show'how'those'remain'strongly'entrenched' in'the'core'principles'of'familialism,'with'a'particular'emphasis'on' the' relative' position' informal' carers' are' given' in' the' system.' Two' main'domains'of'policy'reforms'will'be'discussed:'the'implementa) tion'of'cash'benefits'to'improve'the'living'conditions'of'the'elderly;' the'implementation'of'a'national'long)term'care'network.'It'will'be' shown' that' policy' instruments' remain' biased' towards' the' elderly' themselves'and'do'not'acknowledge'informal'carers'as'an'object'of' social'policy.'This'characteristic'remains'truly'faithful'to'the'princi) ples' of' familialism' and' more' specifically' to' the' taken' for' granted' willingness'of'families,'and'women'in'particular'to'perform'the'role' the'system'assumes'they'should'perform.'The'paper'will'continue' showing' that' the' conditions' for' that' role' to' be' effectively' per) formed' are' changing' quite' rapidly' which' suggests' that' the' pres) sures'on'the'formal'care'system'will'increase.'
STRETCHED,!SQUEEZED!AND!OVERWHELMED:!USING!
PHOTOVOICE!TO!EXPLORE!THE!EXPERIENCES!OF!
FEMALE!MULTIGGENERATIONAL!CAREGIVERS!
Caroline'Julie'Moore1'
1Health' and' Social' Care,' THE' OPEN' UNIVERSITY,' Milton' Keynes,'
United'Kingdom'
Abstract:' Demographic' trends' in' the' United' Kingdom' include' an'
increasing' ageing' population,' changes' in' family' structures,' an' in) crease'in'women'in'paid'employment'and'an'increase'in'the'num) ber'of'young'adults'who'live'with'their'parents'(O.N.S.,'2008).'The) se'changes'mean'that'more'women'are'simultaneously'occupying' multiple' demanding' roles.' These' may' include' the' roles' of' wife,' partner,'mother,'grandmother,'employee'and'carer.'The'challeng) ing'demands'of'these'roles'may'not'only'affect'women’s'lifestyle,' personal'time,'career'development'and'financial'stability,'but'may' also'impact'on'their'health.'
Literature'concerning'the'experiences'of'female'multi)generational' carers' and' of' how' they' cope' with' their' situation' appears' to' be' sparse.'
Twenty' multi)generational' caregivers' were' recruited' for' interview' and'were'asked'to'take'photographs'of'images'which'they'felt'rep) resented' their' everyday' care)giving.' During' a' second' interview,' photographs' which' they' had' selected' were' used' as' discussion' prompts' (photovoice)' to' enable' them' to' reflect' and' discuss' their' experiences.' By' using' the' photovoice' method' these' multi) generational' caregivers' identified' situations,' places' and' objects' which'they'felt'were'significant'to'them'and'enriched'the'quality'of' their'every'day'care)giving'experiences.'
A' grounded' methodology' was' used' and' Maintaining/ Caregiver/
Equilibrium' emerged' as' the' core' category.' Related' concepts' that'
underpinned'the'participants’'ability'to'cope'with'their'care)giving' situation' were' Intergenerational/ Ambivalence,/ Multi=generational/
Caregiver/ Satisfaction/ and' Health/ Effects./ Work/ and/ Faith/ were'
found'to'be'key'coping'strategies'used'by'these'caregivers.' This'research'may'inform'policy'makers'about'how'to'support'fe) male'multi)generational'caregivers'in'the'future,'providing'effective' relief'to'projected'care'burdens'in'these'situations.'
SUPPORTING!FRAIL!ELDERLY!AND!THEIR!FAMILIES:!
BEST!PRACTICES!IN!ITALY!
Stefania'Giada'Meda'1,'Donatella'Bramanti1' 1Department'of'Sociology,'CATHOLIC'UNIVERSITY'OF'MILAN,'Mila) no,'Italy' Abstract:'The'study'analyses'best'practices'for'frail'elderly'and'their' families,'able'to'provide'qualified'answers'to'the'complex'needs'of' the'last'stage'of'life.'The' recent' explosion' in' population' ageing' is' one' of' the' most' re) markable'demographic'changes'with'implications'for'governments,' economic'and'welfare'systems,'and'individuals.'Concern'over'con) sequences' of' ageing' on' family' relations' is' gaining' consent,' high) lighting'macro'morphogenetic'trends'such'as'generational'inequali) ties'and'vertical'deprivation;'the'onset'of'multigenerational'families' and'a'sandwich'generation.' To'prevent'psycho)social'risks,'families'of'and'with'elder'frail'peo) ple'must'be'helped'to'face'stressful'events'of'the'family'life'cycle.' Hence,'it'becomes'crucial'designing'and'implementing'policies'and' interventions' aiming' at' caring' for' elderly' in' a' family' friendly' per) spective.'
The'concept'of'best'practice'identifies'services'of'excellence'as'for' efficiency' and' efficacy' and' indicate,' according' to' a' relational' per) spective,'programs'promoting'the'we=relation'at'family'level,'which' is'the'family’s'capability'to'keep'on'generate'relational'goods.'In) deed,'each'stressful'event,'as'the'impairment'of'one'family'mem) ber,'defies'family'life'and'compels'the'subjects'to'act'some'reflexiv) ity'on'their'modus/vivendi.' Best'practices'are'thus'measures'where'elders'and'families'partici) pate'in'the'process'of'coping'with'ageing)related'issues,'in'a'per) spective'supportive'of'the'kinship'networks’'coping'skills.' The'paper'illustrates'findings'of'a'comparative'analysis'of'best'prac) tices' to' support' families' with' elderly' in' three' different' Italian' Re) gions:'Liguria'(North)West),'Lombardia'(North),'Sicilia'(South).' Researchers'have'selected'8'best'practices'and'carried'out'in)depth' case'studies.'
The'study'highlighted'some'major'findings:'
•'Focus'is'on'the'elder,'his/her'family'and/or'other'caregivers;' •' Localisation' in' the' community,' perceived' as' a' place' rich' in' re) sources' to' use' in' a' perspective' likely' to' trigger' community' devel) opment;'
•' Presence' of' social' partnerships' between' State' and' Third' Sector' organisations;'
•' Direct' involvement' of' families' as' beneficiaries,' and' suppliers' of' help;'
•'Sustainability,'both'at'cost'level'and'human'resources;' •'High'satisfaction'expressed'by'all'the'involved'stakeholders.' The' research' gives' indications' to' professionals' working' alongside' families'and'policy'makers.'
THE!IMPORTANCE!OF!A!STRONG!SOCIAL!NETWORK!
AND!OF!SATISFACTION!WITH!CARE!FOR!THE!
EMOTIONAL!WELLGBEING!OF!OLDER!PERSONS!LIVING!
AT!HOME!
Jonathan'Bennett'1,'Matthias'Riedel'1,'Robert'Fluder1'
1Social'Work,'BERN'UNIVERSITY'OF'APPLIED'SCIENCES,'Bern,'Swit)
Abstract:'From'September'2009'to'January'2010,'712'persons'aged'
64)98'years'(M=81.9;'SD=6.2),'living'in'the'Swiss'cantons'of'Aargau,' Bern' and' Zurich' were' interviewed' face)to)face' at' home' with' a' standardized'questionnaire.'The'sample'was'randomly'drawn'from' the' customers' of' a' Swiss' health' insurance' company.' Among' the' topics'covered'in'the'interview'were'the'following:'
•!perceived'need'and'use'of'formal'and'informal'home'care,'
•'perceived'lack'of'care,'
•'the'strength'of'respondents’'social'network'(number'of'relatives,' friends' and' neighbors' with' whom' they' related' regularly,' whom' they'could'ask'for'help'and'easily'discuss'private'matters;'Lubben' et'al.,'2006)'
•'general'as'well'as'psychological'well)being.'
Logistic'regression'analysis'revealed'that'the'strength'of'the'social' network' (OR=1.44;' p<.01)' and' non)satisfaction' with' received' care' (OR=0.5;'p<.01)'were'the'most'important'predictors'of'general'life' satisfaction.'On'the'other'hand,'the'degree'of'dependence'in'activi) ties'of'daily'living,'the'amount'of'received'formal'and'informal'care' and'the'number'of'illnesses'treated'by'a'medical'doctor'in'the'past' 12'months'did'not'prove'to'have'any'significant'predictive'value.' Results' were' largely' similar' concerning' psychological' well)being' (Bullinger'&'Kirchberger,'1998).'However,'other'than'in'the'case'of' general'life)satisfaction,'the'number'of'illnesses'being'treated'by'a' medical' doctor' during' the' last' 12' months' did' have' a' significant' predictive'value'for'psychological'well)being.'
Our' findings' demonstrate' that' emotional' well)being' in' persons' living'at'home'is'possible'even'amid'strong'dependence'on'care.'An' important' prerequisite' is' the' existence' of' a' strong' social' network' allowing'for'the'seeking'of'help'and'the'discussion'of'private'mat) ters.'In'addition,'in'order'to'sustain'emotional'well)being,'persons' must' be' satisfied' with' the' care' they' receive.' Our' data' also' show' that'satisfaction'with'care'is'related'to'the'quality'of'relationships' to'important'informal'caregivers.'This'is'in'line'with'other'research' stressing'the'importance'for'emotional'well)being'of'the'quality'of' relationships' to' informal' caregivers' (Katz,' 2009;' Merz' &' Huxhold,' 2010).'
INFORMAL!ELDER!CARE!IN!THE!MODERNISATION!
PROCESS:!IMPACT!OF!SOCIAL!MILIEUS!IN!RUSSIA’S!
AND!GERMANY’S!WELFARE!REGIMES!
Irina'Siegel1' 1Institute'of'Sociology,'UNIVERSITY'OF'FREIBURG,'Freiburg,'Germa) ny'Abstract:' This' paper' builds' on' the' theoretical' framework' of' the'
bilateral'pilot'project'studying'social'distributions'of'different'soli) darity' types' in' Russia' and' Germany' and' addresses' how' informal' elderly'care'is'anchored'in'the'social'structure'and'affected'by'wel) fare'regime.'
In' micro)sociological' perspective' we' believe' that' sociostructural' and' )cultural' resources' impact' decisions' of' intergenerational' soli) darity.'It'is'assumed'that'structure'of'actions'and'situations'of'in) formal' care' are' of' little' compatibility' with' preferences' typical' for' "modern'concepts'of'life"'(Blinkert,'Klie'2004).'The'latter'are'meas) ured'as'attitudes'to'women’s'role.'At'the'macro)level'the'welfare' state’s'distributive'justice'and'elderly'care'policy'shape'intergener)
ational'solidarity,'wheres'at'the'meso)level'availability'and'usage'of' local'care'infrastructure'are'crucial.'
Demographic' change' paradigm' tackles' though' future' availability' and' ability' of' informal' carers' (Uhlenberg,' Cheuk' 2008;' Johnson' 2008)' but' not' their' motivations.' The' way' informal' care' changes' under' the' sociocultural' change' affecting' motivations' and' prefer) ences' is' in' the' focus' of' Freiburger’s' approach.' Informal' care' is' found'mainly'in'the'milieus'that'have'become'less'important'("mi) lieu' of' tradition)conscious' unprivileged' class")' and' is' particularly' seldom'observed'in'the'milieus'gaining'on'meaning'in'the'moderni) sation'process'("milieu'of'liberal'middle'class")'(Blinkert,'Klie'2004).' Socioeconomic'status'was'found'to'be'decisive'for'filial'help'in'con) servative)corporatist' and' familistic' but' not' in' social)democratic' welfare' regimes' (Sarasa,' Billingsley' 2008).' Neither' differentiated' social' stratification' concepts' or' theoretical' explanations' were' ap) plied' to' studying' familial' caregiving' nor' was' Russian’s' welfare' re) gime'of'the'former)USSR'type'(Fenger'2007)'in'the'focus'of'previ) ous'cross)cultural'research'(Sundström,'et'al.'2008).'
We'utilise'data'of'two'samples'with'200)240'F2F'interviews'being' currently' collected' in' the' Russian' city' of' Samara' and' the' German' city'of'Freiburg.'Though'both'samples'are'not'representative'of'the' whole' Germany' or' Russia' they' allow' us' to' make' descriptive' be) tween)group' comparisons' in' each' country' and,' in' a' restricted' sense,'between'countries'and'thus'to'reveal'important'trends.'The' study'relies'on'the'well)proven'questionnaire'used'in'German'stud) ies' adopted' for' Russian' sociocultural' conditions' and' for' compara) tive'needs'by'harmonising'socioeconomic'variables.'
WHAT!IS!THE!BEST!CARE!FOR!DEPENDENT!ADULTS?!
NOT!COVERED!NEEDS!BY!TYPE!OF!CARE!IN!SPAIN!
Jesús'Rogero)García'1,'Karim'Ahmed)Mohamed'2' 1Department'of'Sociology,'AUTONOMOUS'UNIVERSITY'OF'MADRID,' 2Spanish'Sociological'Research'Center,'Madrid,'Spain' Abstract:'In'this'study'for'Spain,'not'covered'needs'of'dependent'' coverage'of'dependents'adult'needs,'and'provide'relevant'findings' for'policy'making.'
CARING!FOR!CARERS!OF!THE!ELDERLY!IN!SPAIN:!
CURRENT!FRAME!AND!EVALUATION!OF!
PROGRAMMES!
Alberto'Veira)Ramos'1,'Maria'Silveria'Agulló)Tomás'1,'Maria'Teresa' Martín)Palomo' 1,'Rosana'Saiz)Villar' 2,'Esteban'Auglló' 2,'Jesús'Javier' Sanchez)Barricarte1'
1Sociology,' Universidad' Carlos' III' de' Madrid,' Getafe,'2Psicology,'
Univeridad'de'Oviedo,'Oviedo,'Spain'
Abstract:' Over' the' oncoming' decades' European' societies' will' be'
facing'various'challenges'derived'from'demographic'ageing.'One'of' the'most'important'will'be'the'growth'of'the'number'of'dependent' people,' and' with' it,' the' increase' of' the' number' of' persons' who' devote'part'of'their'time'to'look'after'them'in'a'non)professional' fashion.'The'first'part'of'this'presentation'addresses'the'profile'of' Spanish' informal' carers' contrasting' it' with' the' profiles' of' carers' from'other'European'countries,'describing'some'of'their'problems' around' this' experience.' This' was' done' by' using' information' from' the' 8' waves' of' the' European' Community' Household' Panel' data.' The' second' part' describes' the' main' features' of' the' programmes' offered' in' Spain' by' public' institutions' and' from' NGO's' to' try' to' solve' some' of' these' problems' that' informal' caregivers' face.' They' are' training' programmes,' psychosocial' support,' therapies' and' so' on.'The'pathway'should'be'a'move'towards'the'quality'of'care'for' dependent'elderly'and'their'caregivers,'both'support'professionals' and'the'families.'Different'objectives'of'this'evaluation'research'are' achieved'from'a'combined'approach:'quantitative'techniques'(data' mining' and' electronic' survey)' and' qualitative' (in)depth' interviews' and'focus'groups'to'carers).'All'this'forms'the'basis'of'current're) search' entitled' "Caregivers' of' older' people:' situation' before' the' Dependency'Act'and'evaluation'of'programmes'for'carers”'(2009) 2012),'funded'by'the'Ministry'of'Science'and'Innovation'(CSO2009) 10290,'under'the'Sixth'National'Research'Plan'R+D+i).'
ACTIVE!AGEING!AND!INTERGENERATION!
Maria'Ester'Vaz1'
1Industrial' Studies' and' Management' Higher' School,' OPORTO'
POLYTECHNICAL'INSTITUTE,'Vila'do'Conde,'Portugal'
Abstract:'This'work'reflects'about'the'current'notion'of'active'aging'
and' the' perspective' of' older' people' himself.' This' topic' has' been' discussed'worldwide,'namely'by'the'World'Health'Organization'and' the'United'Nations.'In'the'late'XX'century'there'was'a'commitment' to' defining' political' strategies' and' the' implementation' of' social' intervention'measures.'This'concern'sought'to'convey'a'new'image' of' old' age,' considering' it' as' a' social' category' and' culturally' con) structed.'
The' deepening' of' the' theme' in' this' study' followed' a' qualitative' methodological' approach' withinterviews,' highlighting' the' images' and'representations'that'older'people'have'regarding'old'age.'The' data'presented'were'collected'to'24'persons'with'the'age'fifty)five' years'old'or'more.'
The' respondents' experience' indicated' that' there' was' a' different' ways' in' the' process' of' aging.' The' evidence' is' the' extreme' im) portance'of'convivial'ways'in'old'age'especially'with'younger'peo)
ple.' The' study' shows' that' the' intergenerationality' is' seen' as' an' important' issue' for' old' people' in' the' sense' that' the' relations' are' promoters'of'active'aging'who'provide'a'mutual'aid'and'a'mutual' learning.'
DYADIC!RELATIONSHIP!BETWEEN!THIRD!AND!FOURTH!
AGE!AND!THE!DISCIPLINARY!PRACTICES!
SURROUNDING!AGEING!BODIES!
Jaroslava'Hasmanova'Marhankova1'1Department' of' Sociology,' UNIVERSITY' OF' WEST' BOHEMIA,' Plzen,'
Czech'Republic'
Abstract:'In'the'1990s'the'World'Health'Organization'adopted'the'
term' active' ageing,' which' currently' represents' a' key' vision' of' old' age'in'the'western'societies'that'face'the'situation'of'demograph) ical' ageing.' The' imperative' of' activity' penetrates' gerontological' knowledge,'social'policy'and'social'work'and'is'a'crucial'component' of'the'disciplinary'discourse'surrounding'elderly'people.'The'paper' is' based' on' three)years' ethnographic' study' (participant' observa) tion,' 47' in)depth' interviews' with' clients' and' employees)' of' two' centres' in' the' Czech' Republic' that' offer' leisure' time' activities' for' seniors.'This'segment'of'seniors)oriented'social'services'represents' an' institutional' context' for' the' manifestation' of' the' discourse' of' active'ageing'and'strongly'refers'to'the'idea'of'third'age.'The'paper' highlights'the'role'of'third)fourth'age'distinction'for'the'construc) tion'of'social'position'in'the'centres.'The'clients'and'employees'of' the' centres' use' the' participation' in' the' activities' as' an' important' mechanism' of' group' identity' construction.' This' identity' is' at' the' same'time'constructed'in'strict'opposition'to'“other”'seniors'who' are' not' active.' The' active' lifestyle' embodied' in' the' idea' of' active' ageing'offers'a'positive'representation'of'ageing'that'has'become'a' significant'resource'of'self)esteem'for'the'clients'of'the'centres.'In' that' respect,' the' idea' of' active' ageing' represents' a' welcomed' change' in' the' ways' old' age' was' traditionally' constructed.' On' the' other' hand,' the' closed' connection' between' activity' and' old' age' epitomized' in' the' discourse' of' active' ageing' represented' by' the' centres' pose' a' new' set' of' demands' on' ageing' subjectivities' and' bodies.' Although' the' representations' of' fourth' age' are' missing' in' the' centres,' the' distinction' between' third' and' fourth' age' repre) sents'a'key'dimension'that'is'constantly'present'in'the'daily'running' of'the'centres.'The'boundary'between'superior'third'age'and'stig) matized'fourth'age'functions'as'a'form'of'disciplinary'practice'mo) bilized'contextually'by'various'agents.'This'paper'analyze'the'daily' practices'of'the'management'of'ageing'bodies'by'means'of'pene) trable'thin'boundary'between'third'and'fourth'age.'
IMAGINES!OF!THE!FUTURE!ABOUT!AGING,!WELLBEING!
AND!SOCIAL!AND!HEALTH!CARE!SERVICES!IN!2030!BY!
NORTHERN!FINLANDS!BABY!BOOMERS!
Maire'Hannele'Vuoti'1,'Arja'Isola'1,'Petri'Kinnunen'2'
1Institute' of' Health' Sciences' Department' of' Nursing,' UNIVERSITY'
OF' OULU,' Oulu,'2Faculty' of' Social' Sciences,' University' of' Lapland,' Rovaniemi,'Finland'
Abstract:'In'the'future'there'are'more'people'who'live'into'old'age'
generation' was' exceptionally' large' and' that' kind' of' phenomenon' has'not'been'seen'before'or'after'in'Finnish'history.'This'generation' is'elderly'people'in'future'and'the'aim'of'this'research'is'to'describe' their'imagines'of'the'future'about'aging,'wellbeing'and'social)'and' healthcare'services.The'method'used'in'this'research'is'qualitative) ly' driven' mixed' methods.' Qualitatively' driven' approaches' mixed' methods' offer' great' potential' for' generating' new' ways' of' under) standing'the'visions'and'imagines'of'the'future'that'is'in'contexts'of' social'experience.'Qualitative'method'in'this'research'was'Method' of'Empathy)Based'Stories'(MEBS).'MEBS'in'this'research'produced' stories'about'the'future.'The'respondents'received'orientation'and' a'script'to'assist'them'in'writing'essays'or'stories'about'their'aging,' wellbeing'productive'factors'and'social'and'health'care'services'in' future.' Instructions' had' the' temporal' perspective' for' the' stories' focused' till' the' year' the' 2030.' The' stories' were' analyzed' qualita) tively'by'categorizing'the'responses'in'into'the'following'themes:'1.' aging' as' subjective' and' social' experience,' 2.' wellbeing' productive' factors'from'the'perspective'of'lifecontrol'and'environment,'and'3.' social'and'health'care'services'from'the'perspective'of'operational' environments'and'resources.Based'on'these'themes'questionnaire' was' build.' The' aim' was' to' investigate' BB´s' attitudes,' beliefs' and' feelings'toward'aging,'wellbeing'and'social'and'health'care'services' in' the' future.' Data' was' collected' from' Northern' Finland’s' 405' BB' and' analyzed' by' Principal' Component' Analysis,' K)Means' Cluster' Analyze'and'Correspondence'Analyze.Findings'from'this'study'will' give' insights' on' BB' expectations' and' responses' to' societal' aging' and' contribute' to' the' new' vision' of' aging' and' wellbeing' and' BB' social'and'health'service'expenditures.'It'is'important'that'we'know' about'elderly'people’s'possibilities'and'limitations'as'it'appears'to' them'in'relation'to'their'own'agendas,'expectations'and'emotions' about'their'future.'Final'results'will'be'published'in'the'autumn'of' 2011.'
'THEY!PREFER!TO!STAY!AT!HOME':!THE!PORTRAYAL!OF!
ELDERLY!PEOPLE!IN!THE!DISCOURSE!ON!CARE!
Bernhard'Weicht1' 1University'of'Utrecht,'Utrecht,'Netherlands' Abstract:'Care'at'the'beginning'of'the'21st'century'can'be'charac) terised'by'a'discourse'on'the'difficulties'related'to'ageing'societies' in' combination' with' a' decline' of' traditional' family' structures.' The' Austrian'arrangement'for'the'provision'of'care'for'elderly'people'is' largely'based'on'informal'settings,'usually'within'the'care'receiver’s' family.'The'traditional'dependence'on'the'nuclear'family'and'other' informal' bonds' correlates' with' a' construction' of' care' work' being' based' on' emotional' attributes' such' as' proximity,' closeness,' love' and'intimacy.'These'values'and'virtues'can'be'found'in'both'public' and'private'discourse'and'can'thus'be'summarised'as'a'moral'con) sensus'in'society.'Similarly'‘staying'at'home’'is'described'as'every) one’s' wish' in' old' age' and' living' ‘independently’' is' constructed' as' the'main'aim'of'social'policy'in'relation'to'elderly'people'and'peo) ple'in'need'of'care'and'support.'In' this' paper' I' analyse' the' portrayal' of' elderly' people' in' the' dis) courses'on'care'in'Austria.'Data'collected'in'the'context'of'research' on' the' moral' construction' of' care,' consisting' of' newspapers' and' focus'group'discussions'will'be're)analysed'using'Critical'Discourse' Analysis' to' identify' how' elderly' people' are' talked' about' and' con) structed.'Why'is'there'an'almost'total'absence'of'elderly'people'in' the'public'discourse?'To'what'extent'are'elderly'people'constructed' as'passive'and'dependent?'To'what'extent'are'‘wishes’'and'‘ideals’' of' elderly' people' constructions' of' the' public' discourse?' The' main'
aim'of'this'research'is'to'highlight'the'significance'of'the'way'elder) ly'people'are'portrayed'in'relation'to'their'absence'as'actors'in'the' discourse.'Theoretically,'I'will'draw'on'the'writings'of'the'disability' movement' and' their' argumentation' for' support' and' empower) ment,'as'well'as'on'the'ethics'of'care'approach'and'their'focus'on' interdependencies.'An'understanding'of'the'public'construction'of' elderly'people'in'the'context'of'care'enables'to'question'both'pub) lic' constructions' of' elderly' people' and' social' policies' which' are' related'to'the'public'construction'of'care.'The'way'society'speaks' about'the'elderly'impacts'significantly'on'people’s'life'chances'and' their' quality' of' life.' The' way' elderly' people’s' lives' are' described' also' influences' political' decision' making' processes.' Both' aspects' need'to'be'analysed'and'challenged'in'order'to'deal'with'questions' of'ageing'and'care'in'a'fair'and'just'way.'
DETERMINANTS!OF!HEALTHGFUNCTIONING!
CONDITIONS!AND!THE!RESIDENTIAL!ENVIRONMENT!
ON!THE!QUALITY!OF!LATER!LIFE!IN!SPAIN!
Fermina' Rojo)Perez' 1,' Gloria' Fernandez)Mayoralas' 1,' Maria)Joao' Forjaz'2,'Pablo'Martinez)Martin'3'
1Institute' of' Economics,' Geography' and' Demography;' Centre' for'
Human' and' Social' Sciences,' Spanish' National' Research' Council' (IEGD,'CCHS,'CSIC),'2National'School'of'Public'Health'and'Consorti) um' for' Biomedical' Research' in' Neurodegenerative' Diseases' (CIBERNED),'3Research'Unit,'Alzheimer'Centre'Reina'Sofia'Founda) tion'and'Consortium'for'Biomedical'Research'in'Neurodegenerative' Diseases'(CIBERNED),'Carlos'III'Institute'of'Health,'Madrid,'Spain'
Abstract:' Objective.' This' paper' aimed' at' examining' the' relation)
ships' between' health)functioning' conditions' and' residential' envi) ronment' (both' measured' by' means' of' objective' and' subjective' indicators),' and' their' effects' on' Quality' of' Life' (QoL)' among' com) munity)dwelling'older)adults'in'Spain.'The'assumption'is'that'better' personal'and'living'conditions'are'associated'with'a'better'QoL.' Methods.' The' data' come' from' a' nationally' representative' sample' of'1,106'people'aged'60'years'and'over'(CadeViMa)Spain).'To'ana) lyse'the'structure'of'the'data'set'(living'arrangements'and'house) hold' features,' residential' characteristics,' health' and' functioning' conditions,' satisfaction' with' life' as' a' whole' as' QoL' indicator),' re) duce'its'dimensionality'and'find'out'the'effects'of'the'selected'vari) ables' in' quality' of' later' life,' bivariate' and' multivariate' statistical' techniques'are'applied'(factor'analysis,'optimal'scaling'method'and' multivariate'linear'regression'analysis).'
Results.' Thirty' percent' of' the' variance' of' the' QoL' is' explained' by' the' regressions' predictors' (household' perceived' socioeconomic' status'and'satisfaction'with'living'arrangements;'objective'and'sub) jective'health'vs.'depression'and'morbidity;'and'residential'satisfac) tion'related'to'housing,'neighbourhood'and'neighbours).'The'high) er'the'satisfaction'with'household,'health'and'residential'environ) ments'as'well'as'the'lower'morbidity'and'depression,'the'better'the' Quality'in'Later'Life'will'be.'
'
(*)'Authorship'On'behalf'of'the'Spanish'Research'Group'on'Quality' of' Life' and' Ageing:' F.' Rojo)Perez;' G.' Fernandez)Mayoralas;' K.' Ah) med)Mohamed;'R.'Lardies)Bosque;'P.'Martinez)Martin;'M.'J.'Forjaz;' M.' E.' Prieto)Flores;' C.' Rodriguez)Blazquez;' B.' Frades)Payo;' C.' Del) gado)Sanz;'A.'Ayala)García.'
HEALTHY!AGING:!DO!SOCIAL!NETWORKS!PROMOTE!
DAILY!PHYSICAL!ACTIVITY?!
Florian'Herbolsheimer'1,'Thorsten'Nikolaus'2,'Richard'Peter1'
1Institute' of' Epidemiology' and' Medical' Biometry,'2Geriatric' Medi)
cine,'ULM'UNIVERSITY,'Ulm,'Germany'
Abstract:'Background:'There'is'a'need'for'describing'the'impact'of'
social' networks' on' promoting' daily' physical' activity' (PA)' in' older' adults.' The' aim' of' the' study' is' to' determine' if' different' network' sizes'and'ties'are'related'to'physical'activity'levels.'
Design' and' Methods:' The' ActiFE)Ulm' baseline' screening' is' a' Ger) man'cross)sectional'study'of'1321'community'dwelling'older'adults' aged' 65' years' and' over' (mean' age' of' 76.6' years)' recruited' from' both'urban'and'rural'neighborhoods'surrounding'Ulm.'The'risk'of' social'isolation'was'screened'by'the'short'form'of'the'Lubben'Social' Network' Scale' (LSNS)6)' that' was' conducted' by' an' interview) administered' questionnaire.' PA' was' objectively' measured' by' an' advanced' accelerometer' over' a' period' of' one' week.' This' devise,' which'was'attached'to'the'leg,'considerably'improves'conventional' estimates' of' physical' activity' and' even' allows' further' differentia) tions'according'to'activity'patterns'(sitting,'standing'and'walking).' Multivariate' regression' models' that' were' adjusted' for' age,' Activi) ties'of'Daily'Living,'morbidities'and'other'confounders'were'calcu) lated.'
Results:' The' rotated' factor' structure' of' the' LSNS)6' clearly' distin) guished' between' three' items' dealing' with' family' and' three' items' on'the'non)kin'networks'according'to'the'literature.'The'two'sub) scales'(family'and'friends)'differently'influenced'higher'levels'of'PA.' Whereas' the' relation' of' family' networks' on' PA' disappeared' after' full' adjustment,' larger' friendship' networks' showed' a' significant' increased' in' PA' levels.' Beside' the' friendship' subscale,' separate' analysis'based'exclusively'on'the'friendship'network'size'appeared' to'show'even'stronger'effects'(p'<'.01)'on'promoting'PA.'
Implication:' Information' on' friendship' ties' based' on' the' LSNS)6' is' beneficial'for'the'assessment'of'the'personal'risk'of'inactivity'and' planning'of'targeted'interventions'enhancing'daily'physical'activity' in' an' older' population.' A' lack' of' friendship' networks' is' an' im) portant'determinant'for'the'level'of'physical'activity'among'older' adults.'
LIVE!EVERYDAY!!TARGETED!ACTIVITIES!FOR!YOUNG!
PEOPLE!WITH!DEMENTIA!G!AN!INTERVENTION!
PROJECT!
Petra'Ahnlund1' 1Social'work,'UMEÅ'UNIVERSITY,'Umeå,'Sweden' Abstract:'Younger'persons'with'dementia'(that'is'persons'under'65'years' of' age)' is' a' group' of' which' knowledge' about' their' needs' in' social'services'and'health'care'are'limited.'In'the'new'guidelines'for' health' care' services' for' people' with' dementia' it' is' recognised' as' important,'that'the'care'provided'to'young'persons'with'dementia' should'be'based'on'a'team)based'work'in'which'different'profes)
sions' are' included.' In' order' to' have' a' meaningful' life,' the' work' should'also'be'based'in'a'person)centered'approach.'
The'study'is'an'intervention'project'in'one'nursing'home'in'Umeå,' Sweden.' Six' younger' persons' with' dementia' living' in' a' nursing' home'for'elderly'have'during'eight'months,'once'a'week'been'on' targeted' activities,' together' with' personnel' from' the' care' setting.' The' targeted' activities' is' based' on' what' the' persons' themselves' want'to'do'and'what'their'relatives'have'told'the'personnel'about' the'persons'interests.'
The'aim'of'the'study'is'two'folded,'the'fist'aim'is'to'improve'the' quality'of'life'for'younger'persons'with'dementia,'living'in'a'nursing' home'for'elderly.'The'second'aim'is'to'study'if'the'project'have'had' any' positive' effect' on' the' working' environment' in' the' nursing' home.'
Method:'After'each'of'the'targeted'activates,'personnel'have'filled' in'a'survey'about'the'activity;'what'they'did,'how'the'elderly'liked'it' and'what'the'personnel'experienced'about'the'activity'in'relation' to' the' elderly.' Interviews' with' the' personnel' about' the' activities' and'the'process'are'to'be'conducted.'
Results:'The'results'are'not'yet'fully'analysed'but'the'initial'analyse' show'that'the'personnel'is'experience'the'activities'as'a'good'way' of'making'the'elderly'more'active'in'the'every'day'life.'The'way'of' gathering' a' small' group' of' persons' once' a' week' and' to' do' new' things'together,'is'having'a'positive'effect'on'the'persons'involved.' The' personnel' have' come' to' realise' that' it' is' not' necessary' to' do' “big' and' complex' activities”' such' as' long' trips;' the' elderly' seems' happy'to'be'together,'with'people'that'understands'them'and'to'do' things' that' are' familiar' to' them.' For' the' personnel' it' has' been' meaningful'to'work'with'colleagues'from'other'parts'of'the'nursing' home'and'they'experience'that'they'learned'a'lot'about'the'work' from'each'other'about'young'persons'with'dementia.'
TOWARDS!A!GENERAL!MODEL!OF!WELLBEING!
Björn'Halleröd1'
1Dept.' of' Sociology,' UNIVERSITY' OF' GOTHENBURG,' Gothenburg,'
Sweden'
Abstract:!Social'scientists'need'to'better'understand'how'different'
aspects'of'peoples’'wellbeing'are'tied'together'and'how'these'ties' differs'between'individuals'at'one'point'of'time'and'within'individ) uals'over'time.'Our'aim'is'to'theoretically'outline'a'general'model' that' considers' the' multi)factorial' structure' of' peoples’' wellbeing.' We' will' utilize' the' potential' of' latent' variable' modeling' to' find' strategies' and' procedures' for' statistical' design' and' analysis' of' a' unique'Swedish'database,'the'Panel/Survey/of/Ageing/and/the/Elder=
ly(/PSAE).'
important' information' that' in' most' analyses' is' left' unconsidered.' We'will'also'test'to'what'degree'it'is'necessary'to'differentiate'the' measure' of' wellbeing' between' different' age' groups' and' between' men'and'women.'
The' research' process' includes' the' following' stages:' A)' Choosing' domains'and'variables.'B)'Formulating'a'tentative'general'model.'C)' Testing'the'relevance'of'the'theoretical'model.'D)'Validate'the'con) firmative'model.'E)'Analysing'the'outcomes'of'the'model'in'relation' to'predictors'such'as'socioeconomic'status,'gender,'and'age.'
SOCIAL!RESOURCES:!A!KEY!DIMENSION!IN!ELDERLY!
COMMUNITYGDWELLING!POPULATION!ASSESSMENT!
Rogério'Manuel'Clemente'Rodrigues'1,'Luís'Manuel'de'Jesus'Lourei) ro' 1,' Sílvia' Manuela' Dais' Tavares' da' Silva' 1,' Zaida' de' Aguiar' Sá' Azeredo'2'1ESCOLA' SUPERIOR' DE' ENFERMAGEM,' Coimbra,' 2ICBAS)
Universidade'do'Porto,'Porto,'Portugal'
Abstract:'Background:'Functional'abilities'and'limitations'are'a'very'
salient'issue'related'to'ageing.'The'Older/Americans/Resources/and/
Services/ (OARS)' is' a' functional' multidimensional' assessment' in)
strument'that'evaluates'the'functional'status'in'the'five'determin) ing'areas'for'the'elderly'quality'of'life:'social'resources,'economic' resources,' mental' health,' physical' health' and' activities' of' daily' living.' Its' use' is' relevant' for' the' knowledge' about' the' functional' disability'in'physical'and'mental'areas'in'old'people.'The'aim'of'this' study' is' to' analyse' the' applicability' of' the' OARS' (Questionário/ de/
Avaliação/ Funcional/ Multidimensional/ de/ Idosos' )' QAFMI' –' in' the'
Portuguese' version)' in' elderly' community)dwelling' population' group.'
Methods:' comparative' analysis' of' quantitative' studies' of' descrip) tive)correlation' type' with' a' cross)sectional' temporal' dimension.' The'samples'in'all'studies'were'taken'in'a'randomized'and'probabil) istic'trial,'from'the'users’'files'of'Health'Centres'and'nursing'homes.' The'data'were'presented'by'gender'and'age'group'(65)74;'75)84;' ≥85).'
Results:' The' evaluation' tool' showed' its' capabilities' to' collect' a' great'volume'of'information.'Its'use'should'count,'in'the'evaluation' of' functional' areas,' with' the' classification' according' to' the' score' model'of'QAFMI,'because'of'the'divergences'verified'with'the'eval) uation' realized' by' the' interviewer.' Only' by' this' way' we' can' com) pare,'safely,'results'of'evaluations'and'possible'interventions.'The' diverse'areas'that'are'implied'in'the'quality'of'life'of'the'elders,'and' the'diversity'of'technicians'and'services'involved,'suggest,'as'impli) cations'to'the'practice,'a'coordinated'intervention,'capable'of'gen) erating'and'promoting'an'effective'intervention'that'maximize,'and' promotes,'the'social'and'health'resources'distribution.'
Conclusion:! All' the' work' developed' with' the' Portuguese' version' (QAFMI)'of'OARS'lead'us'to'consider'this'instrument'very'useful'to' define'the'functional'status'of'the'elders'in'the'specific'evaluation' areas'and'the'needs,'becoming'right'to'the'planning'of'older'care' services.'Therefore,'OARS'(QAFMI'in'Portuguese'version)'is'a'meas) urement'instrument'of'quality'for'older'people'providing'significant' information' to' interventions' and' improve' adequate' social,' and' health,'care'strategy'on'this'population'group.'
GET!UP!AND!GO!!THE!YOUNG!AT!HEART!!
Liz'Mcgettigan1'
1Libraries' and' Information' Services,' THE' CITY' OF' EDINBURGH'
COUNCIL,'Edinburgh,'United'Kingdom'
Abstract:!Well)being'is'undoubtedly'about'more'than'medicine'and'
health'and'with'a'longer,'healthier'life'as'a'goal,'we'should'all'be' turning'more'of'our'attention'to'staying'active,'enjoying'life,'mak) ing' friends,' waging' war' on' our' waistlines,' and' extinguishing' our' cigarettes'for'good.'
It'is'indeed'about'the'ways'that'we'interact'with'the'environment,' our' encounters,' our' routine' activities' such' as' walking' to' work,' to' the'shops,'to'school,'aspects'of'work,'play'and'relaxation.'
With'all'of'this'in'mind'we'developed'Get'Up'and'Go)'a'brochure' for' 50' +,' the' young' at' heart!,' a' brochure' that' is' unique' to' Edin) burgh.'Jam)packed'with'articles'and'information'and'over'300'or) ganisations' and' activities,' from' quilt' making' to' canoeing,' there' is' something'for'everyone'in'it.'
The'aim'was'to'encourage'healthy'minds'and'physical'activity'and' to'make'access'to'these'opportunities'easier'for'all'of'our'citizens' to'all'of'the'opportunities'across'the'city'of'Edinburgh.'
It' is' also' about' Libraries' as' community' spaces' for' older' people,' places'where'they'can'volunteer,'learn'and'socialise.' Methodology:'' •'We'worked'with'an'over'50s'advisory'and'editorial'group' •'We'sourced,'catalogued'and'categorised'information'on'activities' from'across'the'city' •'We'also'made'the'information'available'electronically.' http://www.youredinburgh.info/engage/' •'We'linked'it'to'Get'Up'and'Go'for'IT'to'teach'the'senior'citizens' the'skills'they'need'to'add'to'it' •'We'made'it'widely'available'across'the'city'in'health'centres,' libraries'community'and'leisure'centres.' Outcomes:!We'created'a'network'of'people'interested'in'the'pro) ject'and'a'resource'that'is'now'well'recognised'across'the'city.'
