Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v21i2.1181
Challenges of Demografic Changes and an Example of Good Practice in Social Work with Older People
Amra Šabić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2524-6301
; Fakultet za socijalni rad, Sveučilište u Ljubljani
Abstract
In the last twenty years, demographic changes have put social policy before the challenges of finding alternative ways to ensure the sustainability of the state budget. Challenges of an aging population at the macro level in the countries are mostly resolved through pension reforms and reforms of labour market, which in the current times of economic crisis does not achieve its purpose. Another problem at the micro and mezzo level is the origin of vulnerability, poverty and social exclusion of the elderly, which create the conditions for the formation of stereotypes and prejudices about old people. There is a generational alienation, which in the long term can create increscent of conflict between generations and further deterioration in the quality of life of older people. Many authors see the solution to this situation in the intergenerational cooperation and solidarity among all three generations (young, middle and old generations). Therefore, the aim of this paper is to draw attention to the contribution of the above mentioned risk factors and present a model of intergenerational solidarity through volunteering, developed at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Ljubljana. The main goal of the paper is to show how we can achieve good results in intergenerational collaboration among young and old people through action research with the aim of improving the quality of life. The conclusion offered is the significance of intergenerational volunteering which gives opportunity for collaboration without a large financial investment.
Keywords
demographic changes; Welfare State; intergenerational collaboration; researching the needs and responses; community social work and project-work methods
Hrčak ID:
125765
URI
Publication date:
31.7.2014.
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