Open AccessInnovative Forms of Care for Seniors in Rural Areas of Poland
Author(s) -
Sylwia Michalska,
Anna Rosa,
Ryszard Kamiński
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
wieś i rolnictwo
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2657-5213
pISSN - 0137-1673
DOI - 10.53098/wir032019/02
Subject(s) - rural area , independence (probability theory) , population ageing , order (exchange) , social welfare , economic growth , active ageing , welfare , aging in place , population , quality (philosophy) , action (physics) , business , older people , political science , gerontology , medicine , economics , environmental health , statistics , philosophy , physics , mathematics , finance , epistemology , quantum mechanics , law
Ageing is an issue faced by the majority of the European countries, including Poland. Due to their dissimilarity there is a need to apply different approaches to ageing in urban and rural areas. The population aged 65+ is expected to increase by nearly 60% by 2035, and the percentage of that group within the total population is estimated to grow from the current 14% to 22%. These demographic changes will bring new challenges to social welfare system. The need for social care and healthcare services will grow. In order to limit the consequences of this phenomenon action must be taken to allow elderly people to continue their careers, ensure that they are active members of their communities and that the quality of lives does not worsen. This article identifies new and innovative solutions in rural areas to support the elderly inhabitants whose independence is limited and keep them actively involved in community activities, and in order to ensure quality of life. The authors provide a detailed description of two non-standard solutions to deal with the ageing issue. These include social farms and rural hospices at home, both of which have already been implemented in some rural areas in Poland.