In my master’s thesis, I researched the quality ageing of the residents of the Municipality of Križevci near Ljutomer. In the theoretical part, I first introduced the terms ‘ageing of the population’ and ‘quality ageing’, described the needs of the elderly and explained them in more detail according to the index of long-term care needs. I also defined social work with the elderly, the concept of long-term care and the COVID-19 epidemic. The research participants were ten people that live in the Municipality of Križevci near Ljutomer and are older than 65. The purpose of the thesis was to encourage the elderly to think of what quality ageing means to them. I wanted to learn about their way of life, if their living arrangements are adapted enough, what are their needs, what is their social circle like, and what are their wishes for the future. I was interested in how much they were informed about the formal care in our municipality, and if they even know about any services available to the elderly. I concluded that the participants mostly have equal needs and wishes. They connect quality ageing with good health and independence, especially with self-care. They have the most frequent contact with their closest family members. They are poorly informed of the services in the municipality, and few know what the options for formal care for the elderly are. The COVID-19 epidemic and related restrictions have had a big impact on their lives. In the future, all the participants wish to stay at home, in their familial environment, where they feel most comfortable. They would move to a nursing home only if they could no longer take care of themselves.
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