This master’s thesis explores the needs of older people in the Municipality of Turnišče. The theoretical part presents demographic changes and the aging of the population. It explains the importance of intergenerational coexistence and describes the role of social work in this context. It outlines the social networks typical of older people and classifies the types of social support. The thesis emphasizes the importance of long-term care and describes the needs of the older people using a needs index. Finally, it presents the professional roles of social workers in working with older people.
In the empirical part, I conducted 10 interviews with older residents of the Municipality of Turnišče. I examined what their needs are, how they are currently being met, and how they envision meeting them in the future. I was interested in identifying their sources of support and how well they are informed about long-term care services in the municipality, as well as what kind of care they would prefer. I wanted to find out what they feel is lacking in the municipality and what solutions they propose to better meet the needs of older people.
The research results show that the older people have their needs best met in the areas of housing, work, and daily life. Their needs are least met in terms of socializing and planning for future care. They wish for the development of services and support systems in the municipality that would enable them to stay in their own homes as long as possible, with the help of relatives. They would like social workers in the municipality to make the initial contact with older people individuals in need of assistance and to act as informants and coordinators between various institutions.
The recommendations from the research suggest that the municipality should assist older people without social networks or support in adapting their homes and performing physically demanding tasks to help them remain in their homes longer. I propose strengthening and establishing new volunteer networks in cooperation with educational institutions and other associations and organizations, incorporating mandatory ongoing activities. Intergenerational learning projects should be established, based on non-biological connections to foster intergenerational cooperation. Regular visits to immobile older people should be implemented. To encourage informal gatherings and intergenerational interaction, village fire stations (present in all four villages) should be revitalized. The "Prostofer" volunteer transport service, currently being launched in the municipality, should attract as many volunteers as possible. Older people should be provided with better transportation options between villages. I also propose the employment of a social worker based in the retirement home, whose responsibilities would include initiating first contact with elderly individuals, providing information, directing them to appropriate institutions, and assisting with administrative procedures.
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