Page 133 - Petelin, Ana, and Šarabon, Nejc. 2018. Eds. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Znanstvena monografija / Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 133
ergenerational programs as a solution to
the social isolation of the elderly
Anja Zagoričnik, Argresa Bylykbashi, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Loneliness and social isolation are becoming a serious
problem within the institutionalized care of elderly people in nursing
homes and they are major obstacle to the mental and physical health
of the elderly. On the market we can find robot animals for solving this
problem, but we believe that there is a more empathic solution at the
level of intergenerational program. This solution is practice in foreign
countries.
Methods: We will undertake a systematic overview of Slovenian and
foreign scientific and professional literature with a descriptive method
of work in the field of the distribution of intergenerational programs for
children and the elderly, as well as the positive and negative properties of
these. We used descriptive method with literature review to make meta-
analysis. The review was restricted to studies published since 2007 to
2017 and included 10 articles.
Results: As with other people, the need for active life, socialization
and social inclusion is also evident in the life of elderly. By reviewing
the literature we justified the benefit of intergenerational cooperation,
highlighted the problems of the elderly, presented examples of well-
organized intergenerational associations around the world and justified
the importance of socializing older people.
Discussion and conclusions: The solution of mentioned problem within
institutionalized care is necessary since the population of the elderly
around the world is growing and is facing us with a wide array of
challenges.
Key words: intergenerational program, active aging, pre-school children,
nursing homes, social isolation of older people
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-18-4.133-143
the social isolation of the elderly
Anja Zagoričnik, Argresa Bylykbashi, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Loneliness and social isolation are becoming a serious
problem within the institutionalized care of elderly people in nursing
homes and they are major obstacle to the mental and physical health
of the elderly. On the market we can find robot animals for solving this
problem, but we believe that there is a more empathic solution at the
level of intergenerational program. This solution is practice in foreign
countries.
Methods: We will undertake a systematic overview of Slovenian and
foreign scientific and professional literature with a descriptive method
of work in the field of the distribution of intergenerational programs for
children and the elderly, as well as the positive and negative properties of
these. We used descriptive method with literature review to make meta-
analysis. The review was restricted to studies published since 2007 to
2017 and included 10 articles.
Results: As with other people, the need for active life, socialization
and social inclusion is also evident in the life of elderly. By reviewing
the literature we justified the benefit of intergenerational cooperation,
highlighted the problems of the elderly, presented examples of well-
organized intergenerational associations around the world and justified
the importance of socializing older people.
Discussion and conclusions: The solution of mentioned problem within
institutionalized care is necessary since the population of the elderly
around the world is growing and is facing us with a wide array of
challenges.
Key words: intergenerational program, active aging, pre-school children,
nursing homes, social isolation of older people
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-18-4.133-143
