I researched the view of the older generation on the benefits of coexistence with the younger ones in the Upper Savinja Valley. I was interested in how the older generation experiences coexistence, how they feel about coexistence – do they feel as a burden or supported. I was also interested in how coexistence affects family relationship and how quality of life. I assumed that there is help in families, so I am interested in what help middle and young generation offer to the old generation and what help the young and middle generation offer to the old generation. I was also interested in what kind of help the older generation receives from the local environment and what kind of help they would like.
The research is qualitative and empirical. The sample is non-random and convenient.
I found that the older generation in the Upper Savinja Valley believes that the positive sides of coexistence are learning, compromises, cooperation, adjustment and cost sharing and the negative sides are the presence of conflicts and disagreements. The older generation is in support for the younger ones by caring for grandchildren. Older people believe that they play a big role in passing on knowledge and life experiences to younger generations. Relationships between the generations are satisfactory and have many advantages for older people. Sometimes coexistence can destroy family relationships and coexistence is not always positive and for the benefit of all generations, however, the older generation believes that coexistence has a great positive impact on family relationships and quality of life. The life of old people in the Upper Savinja Valley is high quality, people are satisfied with their lives. Most families in the Upper Savinja Valley have joint activities, most of them socialize at work and in their free time. As the greatest advantage of coexistence, the older generation cited cost sharing and socializing with grandchildren. Young people offer help to old people in the field of modern technology, in the field of health, in the field of finance and with the work they do, if old people cannot do it. The older generation, however, wants younger family members to be available to help them in the future, if they would need help. The older generation in the Upper Savinja Valley has more opportunities to help in the local environment, but not everyone is aware of all the help they can get. However, they want more socializing, more trips, activities, courses and workshops, and they also want financial support that the municipality would offer them.
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