This Master's Thesis is on the contemporary problem of the demographic changes which show an increase of elderly people in the municipality of Ajdovščina, and tackles the challenges that the aging society faces, with emphasis on quality of life. The theoretical framework is composed of eight chapters which encompass the following general themes: age, ageing and retirement; the needs, opportunities and roles that come with age; programs and organisations for people in their golden years; social networks and intergenerational solidarity; life-long learning and education; free time and leisure activities; life quality in old age; and community social work with people of old age. The empirical part starts with defining the thesis problem and the six questions which represent the indicators of life quality in old age. These are: health and access to healthcare, financial position and source of survival, social networks and help and support, life-long learning and education, free time and leisure activities as well as the satisfaction of personal needs in old age. The following chapter is on the methodology used in the research: type of research (inquiry, experience, quality), the method of collecting data (semi-structured interview), sources (questionnaire) as well as the population and sample of research (people aged 65 and above who are residents of the municipality of Ajdovščina and live at home). This chapter also contains the descriptions of how the data was gathered and analysed – qualitative analysis. The next chapters are dedicated to the results and discussion of findings as well as conclusions and proposals. The essential conclusions are as follows. The overall health assessment of more than half of older residents of the municipality of Ajdovščina who live at home is good. More than half of all the interviewees believed that their access to healthcare is good, with exception of waiting time. More than half of all the interviewees mentioned modest living standards, a majority wished to be in a better financial position. Pensions represent the main source of income (source of survival), more than half of all interviewees mentioned their pension as the only source of income. Their (informal) social networks are most commonly made up of their family, relatives, friends and neighbours. More than half of interviewees did not feel lonely. They mentioned that they (most commonly) turned to their friends and family for help and support, occasionally relatives and neighbours. All interviewees had an overall positive outlook on life-long learning and education, however none of the interviewees (currently) participated in it. The interviewees spend most of their free time active, however more than half of them did not participate in any organised leisurely activities. More than half of all interviewees agreed that their needs are met. More than half of all interviewees were moderately satisfied with their quality of life. According to my research findings I especially emphasise the following suggestions: further strengthening of healthcare for old people as well as shortening the waiting times for the doctors (specialists); comprehensive reform of the pension system as well as raising pensions in Slovenia; promotion of life-long learning and education in the municipality of Ajdovščina and the individualisation and/or adjustment of education programs; encouragement of active participation in a variety of different (organised) leisurely activities as well as improving quality of life for all old people in the municipality of Ajdovščina.
|
