Demographic changes are not bringing changes only in the age structure of the population, but also raise new questions, dilemmas and deliberation for the global world, states, towns and the creators of social policies. Due to the increasing number of older people, the Age-Friendly Cities project was started. With my master's thesis I wanted to explore to what extent the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi is kind to older people, which its engagement in the Slovenian Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Municipalities testifies to. In the theoretical part I determined the demographic changes of society, presented some of the most important documents and strategies on the topic of old age and defined long-lasting care. Furthermore, I devoted my attention to the quality of life of older people, which depends on the engagement of older people into social spheres and the implementation of their specific needs; another major influence is the environment in which the individual lives. Later, I focused on the Age-Friendly Cities project in Slovenia and on a global level, and described the existing services for older people in the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi. I conducted interviews with four representatives of institutions and the Mayor of the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi, and managed a focus group with seven older people, who are participants of the workrooms of the Multigenerational Centre. I focused on the position of older people in the municipality itself, on the services which are available to them, on the needs and wishes they still have, and on how the Age-Friendly Cities project is actually carried out.
I learned that older people are satisfied with their position in the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi: they expressed satisfaction with the condition of their surroundings, roads, and pavements. Numerous services and activities are available for them, and they are satisfied with their range, but they expressed disappointment about the low participation rate of older people in the activities. Older people in the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi conveyed the need for financial sufficiency and the prospect of care at home; they would also like a local taxi service. Findings of the research showed a need for enhancement of intergenerational coexistence in the community, where the contribution of social work is important. The Age-Friendly Cities project is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of WHO and the Anton Trstenjak Institute. The project is founded on the participation of older people, because their initiatives and wishes are the base for the formation of measures for changes in the municipality. More changes took place in the frame of the project in the Municipality of Radlje ob Dravi, it became open to the proposals and initiatives of older people, and is striving to ensure conditions for a quality life of their older citizens to the highest degree possible.
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