Years of the research: 2013 - 2014
Country: Croatia
Language: Croatian
Keywords:
Abstract:
Like many European societies, Croatian society is facing rapid growth of its older population, which is confirmed by numerous demographic analyses. These analyses convincingly prove that ageing and depopulation are main demographic processes in Croatia (Wertheimer-Baletić, 2004). In spite of this undeniable fact, subjective experiences of older people remain marginalized and invisible. Ageing is particularly complex phenomenon formed by biological and socio-cultural factors, so it demands integrative, multidisciplinary and holistic, theoretical and empirical approach and research. In order to properly understand both subjective experiences of older persons and social, cultural and gender aspects of ageing, empirical research has to be able to mix qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research was realized in public homes for older and infirm persons in two Croatian cities, Zagreb and Split. The main research interest was focused on older persons’ ideas about identity, their subjective experiences of ageing and being old, their interpretations and evaluations of quality of life of women and men old 65+. This research included review and evaluation of existing programs for older persons with emphasis on establishing users’ level of satisfaction with life conditions and overall care in public homes for older and infirm persons.
Researchers:
Type of research: Local - research is realized in four public homes for older and infirm persons in Split and Zagreb.
Target group: Older persons – residents of public homes for older and infirm persons. Employees and volunteers in homes for older and infirm persons.
Sample:
The research is primarily based on qualitative methodology (participant observation, interviews, focus groups) and research procedure was developed in several phases. Using the method of observation with participation and establishing of initial contacts with older persons - users of public homes for older and infirm people, a questionnaire was realised with 115 users (one questionnaire was cancelled after the realisation, 114 questionnaires were analysed). Semi-structured questionnaire was a useful tool for collecting socio-demographic data as well as data about family, education and professional career, incomes, living in a home, state of health and attitudes towards cultural and gender aspect of ageing and old age, but also as a perfect way for a person to get better acquainted with the research topic. Every participant made a voluntary decision to continue taking part in the research. With 49 persons a semi-structured interview was carried out, and 27 of them took part in four focus groups. Also 19 employees (18 women, 1 man) and 6 volunteers (4 women, 2 men) were participated in the reasearch.
Aims/Objectives/Background:
The main research interest was focused on older persons’ ideas about identity, their subjective experiences of ageing and being old, their interpretations and evaluations of quality of life of women and men old 65+. Professional experiences and interpretations of old age from employees and volonteers perspectives were examined.
Findings/outcome/conclusion/research questions:
By collecting personal experiences and subjective interpretations of older persons this project accumulated accurate knowledge about following issues: subjective experience of ageing; socio-cultural differentiation in ageing processes of women and men; older persons’ position in Croatian society (considering income, organized social and medical care, education and cultural programs); older persons’ position in their families and communities; older persons’ attitudes towards and relations with transcendental realms and spirituality; their interpretations and visions of ‘good old age’ (Cole & Ray 2010; Fry et al, in Sokolovsky 2009); perceiving their own bodies and its inevitable physical changes; comparisons with younger generations; various forms of violence older persons are exposed to (verbal, physical, economic etc.). Further research questions are related to everyday experiences and challenges of older persons in rural area; development of institutional and non-institutional care for older persons in Croatia.
Publication/reports: Geiger Zeman, Marija; Zeman, Zdenko; Šikić-Mićanović, Lynette; Anić, Jadranka Rebeka: New home – last station: everyday life in homes for older persons (in print)
Online publication/reports/links:
http://hrcak.srce.hr/ojs/index.php/etnoloska-tribina/article/view/3822
Financed by: Zaklada Adris (Adris Foundation) http://www.adris.hr/en/odnosi-s-javnoscu/zaklada-adris/vijesti
Contact person: Marija Geiger Zeman marija.geigerzeman@pilar.hr
Copyright
“The Central and Eastern European Active Ageing Network database is protected by copyright law, under international agreements and the EC Database Directive 96/9/EC. The owner of the database is the Institute of Mental Health of Semmelweis University and the University of Debrecen Faculty of Health. Reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is not permitted without the prior written authorization of the [owner].”