Wolontariat jako narzędzie aktywizacji osób w wieku senioralnym

In Poland, as in many European countries, we can observe the inevitable process of population aging. This phenomenon and its consequences are an essential issue to be reconsidered in cultural policies and cultural management strategies. More and more seniors are becoming active participants and creators of cultural events. This increases the quantity and quality of cultural provision addressed to this social group. This article is the result of a nationwide research project “Why Do Seniors Need Culture?” The study focuses on diagnosing the cultural needs of seniors and the types of activities and places preferred by elderly people. The paper describes the ways in which seniors are vital audience members, creators of culture and transmitters of timeless values. The authors then depict the common stereotypes about old age and how we must attempt to break them and, finally, the study presents the changes that have occurred in the way elderly people are perceived, both by themselves and by the rest of the population.

BackgroundIn Poland, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing. This might be associated with the constantly growing proportion of elderly people and inappropriate cardiovascular prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of use of oral antiplatelet (OAP) and oral anticoagulant (OAC) drugs among older people in Poland and to assess their association with cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsThe study was based on data collected during the implementation of a multicentre, publicly funded research project called PolSenior.ResultsThe study group consisted of 4,979 people with the average age of 79.35 ± 8.69 years. Among them, 1,787 people (35.9%) used at least one drug in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. OAPs were used regularly by 1,648 (33.1%) elderly people and OACs were used by 165 elderly people (3.3%). Acetylsalicylic acid was used by 32.2% of elderly people. Use of drugs significantly depended on age (p < 0.01), sex (p < 0.01), place of residence (p < 0.001), level of education (p < 0.0001) and personal income (p < 0.0001). Among all the respondents treated with OAPs, therapy was applied as secondary cardiovascular prevention in 717 respondents (43.5%), and as primary prevention in 705 respondents (42.8%). Among the respondents treated with OACs, 117 (71%) elderly people had a history of atrial fibrillation. Secondary cardiovascular prevention should be considered in a further 482 respondents (15.1% of untreated elderly people), and primary cardiovascular prevention in 1,447 respondents (45.3%).ConclusionsOur study is the first to determine the frequency of use of OAP and OAC drugs among elderly people in Poland in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. The most commonly used drug for cardiovascular prevention is acetylsalicylic acid, but it appears that it is used too rarely in high-risk patients. Educational programs should be developed among general practitioners concerning current recommendations for pharmacological cardiovascular prevention.

The article discusses the possibilities for using cross-border models in the construction of telemedicine devices which use internet connections, and the possibility for placing data ‘in the clouds’. There are such models as the Identifying and Analysing Needs model by Leslie Rae (NIA), the Design Thinking model and the GROW coaching model. The research was based on the rules of the emancipatory-critical paradigm and the triangulation method. The non-reactive research (the unobtrusive measures method) was applied in the first stage, and was based on the NIA and DT models. It was conducted based on the situation of senior citizens in Poland (against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic). In the second stage, research was carried out using a survey. The target of the survey was the elderly and their caregivers. In the third stage, in-depth interviews were conducted with senior citizens about their emotions, needs and fears/concerns. They were conducted in accordance with the GROW model coaching guidelines. The results of all the studies are presented on the basis of the Design Thinking model.

Purpose - Presenting the role of sustainable brands in influencing the increase of social responsibility of elderly consumers and their lifestyle. Research method - Analysis of secondary information sources, including the sustainable brand strategy of Lidl Polska, reports on the lifestyle and health of the elderly people in Poland, primary research relating to the Consumer Social Responsibility Barometer (4th edition), and case study of a selected brand of retail chain focused on types of support for seniors. Results - The research results obtained clearly show that social responsibility of elderly people in Poland, their health status and lifestyle are significantly different from global patterns, including European ones. The aging population influences the direction of branding practices. Educating elderly people about conscious eating, rational resource management, and a sustainable lifestyle brings a number of social, environmental, and economic benefits, also for the branded retail chain. Originality / value / implications / recommendations - The key tasks of sustainable brands focused on the segment of elderly customers in Poland include conducting an information and education policy and stimulating changes in habits, greater physical activity and healthy diets and pursuing a long- term policy to shape their sustainable lifestyles. The common interests of brands and consumers and the sustainable actions/ campaigns implemented under the brand’s emblem with the involvement of seniors support the common good.

Secondary prevention of stroke in elderly people in Poland—Results of PolSenior study

To estimate the potential association of three distinct nutritional status measures (body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)) with health-related quality of life (HRQL) assessed with Euroqol 5D questionnaire in different populations of elderly people in Poland. The study group was comprised of 1003 community-dwelling subjects from the urban environment, 890 subjects from the rural environment and 879 subjects from an institutional environment (nursing homes). Bivariate and multivariate associations were identified between nutritional status measures and HRQL adjusted for demographic and social variables, health status, physical function and mental status. Nutrition status indices (BMI, CC and MNA) were generally higher in the urban than in the rural environment and clearly worse in institutionalised elderly. In both community-dwelling groups, BMI and CC were negatively related to several Euroqol scores. In institutional residents, of opposite relationships were observed: higher values of these variables were connected with less frequent reporting of problems in Euroqol. In all the three groups, associations between HRQL scores and MNA were very similar: higher values of MNA were significantly connected with less frequent reporting of problems in Euroqol. BMI and CC, as overweight/obesity measures, are independent predictors of lower HRQL in urban and rural community-dwelling seniors and higher HRQL in institutionalised elderly. Poor nutritional state as measured by MNA is a similar determinant of well-being in all the three environments. This different relationship of popular overweight/obesity measures to HRQL should be taken into account while designing care for older people.

Validation of the modified mini nutritional assessment short-forms in different populations of older people in Poland.

We are witnessing an unprecedented increase in the population of elderly people in Poland and other countries. A large number of these people are at risk of falling ill with cancer. In recent years, medicine has successfully reduced mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, it has been impossible to achieve a significant reduction in cancer mortality, especially in countries with a medium-high human development index, including Poland. The mortality of elderly people due to cancer is particularly difficult to reduce. Screening programmes should be targeted primarily at the older people. The number of people who are unnecessarily tested to diagnose one case of cancer is the lowest in this population. However, screening methods are nonspecific, result in cancer overdiagnosis, extend the lead time, but do not reduce mortality. New screening methods that identify the highest-risk conditions should be developed primarily for the use in the older population. Survivorship care plans for patients who have had cancer are equally important for elderly and younger people. They allow younger patients to resume active life and work. In the elder, they may facilitate control of comorbidities likely to exacerbate after cancer treatment. These exacerbations increase the costs of hospital treatment, reduce the quality of life and increase mortality for reasons not directly related to cancer. The higher cancer mortality rate in elderly patients is partly associated with the fact that treatments with proven effectiveness in younger patients are not used in elderly people because there is no evidence for their clinical benefit but also because they may be overtreated. Relevant studies are currently being carried out by specialized institutions. These challenges should be considered in the debates on the priorities of updated versions of the National Cancer Control Programme and the National Health Programme.

One of the key challenges for the next several years is to face, especially in highly developed countries, the problem of aging and its impact on the general quality of citizens' life. There are many factors that may affect the perception of the quality of life, including health conditions, financial status, social relationships and occupational activity. To overcome the aforementioned problem ICT tools could be engaged. In the article the authors characterize determinants and mechanisms of improving seniors' quality of life in the ICT ecosystem. Those entry data were gathered using three research methods: the extensive literature study, in-depth direct interviews and the survey dedicated to elderly people in Poland. The main aim of the paper is to elicit and characterize determinants of senior citizens' quality of life and present mechanisms of improving it on the basis of the ActGo-Gate project. The research allowed to set the determinants that influence on improving elderly people quality of life using ICT. The article demonstrates that by activating the participation in the ICT ecosystem the quality of seniors' life could be improved.

Background This study compared the risk factors for and incidence of stroke among 14 European countries by using the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Methods The analysis was based on data collected during 2006 to 2007 from Wave 2 of SHARE and panel data from respondents interviewed during 2004 to 2005. Results and Conclusion The highest stroke incidence rates were found in Denmark, Poland, and Sweden; these incidence rates were more than double that of Spain. Stroke was mostly associated with elderly people (age, ≥65 years) in Sweden, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Greece. In addition, stroke incidence was high among young males (age, <65 years) in Italy and elderly males in Germany and Switzerland. A negative association was found between stroke and vigorous exercise for younger people in Sweden and elderly people in Poland, whereas moderate exercise was significantly associated with stroke only for elderly Belgians, Greeks, and Irish.

Intentional poisoning among elderly people-residents of a large urban agglomeration in Poland.

Purpose – Identifying special branding projects and demonstrating their potential role in changing the behaviour, habits and attitudes of older people and in shaping their sustainable lifestyles. Research method – Triangulation of research methods, including 1) desk research with qualitative analysis of documents on health and lifestyles of elderly people in Poland, their social responsibility, sustainable strategies of selected brands and other available materials related to the research problem; 2) a case study of the retail chain Lidl Poland on the branding projects for seniors; 3) the offline participatory observation method (on the occasion of shopping and follow-up visits to Lidl shops) and online (via the brand’s social networks, dedicated platforms and the Lidl Plus app) in subsequent projects (such as campaigns, actions, ventures, events, challenges, and themed promotions) of the analyzed brand. Results – Research results on health and lifestyle of seniors in Poland differ significantly from European and world standards. In view of the above, Lidl’s branding activities for healthy eating for elderly people, their physical and intellectual activity, activation and involvement in brand activities and various ventures with partners should be considered important and valuable. Sustainable branding projects enjoy growing interest among the elderly in Poland and bring multifaceted benefits to stakeholders. Originality / value / implications / recommendations – The first research in Poland on how projects under the sustainable brand emblem affect elderly people. Key tasks of branding projects dedicated to elderly in Poland include informing and educating, engaging them in habit-changing activities encouraging physical activity and healthy eating, and longterm influencing their sustainable behaviours and attitudes. The research has shown that sustainable activities/actions/campaigns under the brands’ emblem have an impact on: the behavior of elderly customers, their attitudes, changes in dietary and lifestyle patterns, marketers’ practices, and ultimately – on society as a whole and the environment.

Introduction: Multimorbidity often comes with age, making elderly people particularly prone to polypharmacy. Polypharmacy, in turn, is a risk factor for adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, non-adherence to medication, negative health outcomes, and increased healthcare services utilization. The longer the exposure to polypharmacy is, the higher the risk of these consequences is. Therefore, a detailed assessment of the prevalence and drivers of chronic polypharmacy in the elderly is particularly important. Aim of study: To find out the prevalence of chronic polypharmacy in the elderly population of Poland, and to characterize the subgroup with the highest risk of this problem, using real-world data. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of data on dispensation and healthcare services utilization held by the national payer organization for the year 2018. Chronic polypharmacy was defined as possession, as a result of dispensation, of five or more prescribed drugs within 80% of each of the consecutive 6 months. Results: Chronic polypharmacy was found in 554.1 thousand patients, i.e. in 19.1% of the national 65+ cohort. On average, those patients were 76 years old, and 49.3% of them were female. The vast majority (68.6%) continued their polypharmacy for the period of the whole year. There was a marked variation in geographical distribution of chronic polypharmacy with the highest value of 1.7 thousand per 100,000 inhabitants in the Łódź Voivodeship. Patients exposed to chronic polypharmacy filled prescriptions from 4.5±2.36 healthcare professionals. The average number of drugs they used was 8.3±3.84 DDD per patient per day. The most often prescribed drugs were Metformin, Atorvastatin and Pantoprazole. The average annual hospitalisation rate in those patients was 1.03±2.4. Conclusion: This study was the first of this kind involving a nationwide assessment of chronic polypharmacy in Polish elderly people. We found that this problem affected one fifth of Polish older adults and it remains stable due to its direct relation to chronic conditions. Thus, our results confirm that this phenomenon is highly important for the national health policy and requires relevant interventions. The planned introduction of pharmaceutical care in Poland is expected to help in solving the problem.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess possible differences between a group of residents of public nursing homes (PNH) and a group of members of Universities of the Third Age (UTA) measured using standard psychometric scales.Materials and methodsThe research was conducted between January 3, 2013 and February 15, 2014 on a group of 200 residents of PNH and 200 members of the UTA using five psychometric scales: Standardized Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Standardized Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), Standardized Social Support Scale (SSS), Standardized General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES), and Standardized Multiple Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC).ResultsThe average point total in the Standardized Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in the group of residents of PNH was 18.03 (Me =19) and was significantly higher (P=0.047) in comparison with the group of UTA members (17.08). Similar to residents of PNH, a vast majority of UTA members assessed the support received from the UTA as good, which significantly influenced their satisfaction from life (P=0.028) and their feeling of self-efficacy (P=0.048). An observed dependence states that the greater the level of satisfaction from life, the greater the level of various types of support from family.ConclusionThis study indicates that biopsychosocial problems decrease quality of life in elderly people. The elderly people require a comprehensive, holistic approach to a variety of problems that occur with aging. In future, extended interdisciplinary research should be carried out on aspects of quality of life in order to optimize comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Social policy toward old people in Poland — conditions, development and directions of changesSocial policy shapes people’s living conditions. In the era of dynamic demographic changes, especially the aging of the population observed in Poland and across the world, the activity of the state focused on improving the quality of life of the elderly is particularly important. Population aging is a demographic process of increasing the proportion of older people while reducing the proportion of children in the society of a given country. Elderly people will continue to be a part of society, mainly due to the progress of civilization, advances in modern medicine and the popularization of so-called healthy living.Social policy toward the elderly should not be limited to managing the social security system and social welfare. Eff ective use of human and social capital of the elderly will be a growing challenge for this policy, and for senior citizens — spending satisfactorily the last years of one’s life. However, for some senior citizens, old age means or will mean poverty and living on the margins of civil society. The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Polic y is responsible for the social policy of people in Poland, off ering for example in the years 2014–2020 to senior citizens such programs as “Senior +”, the Government Program for Social Activity of the Elderly ASOS or “Care 75+.” Each of the above programs have appropriate criteria that must be met to be able to use them. Are older people eager to use them, or are the eff ects of these programs already visible? This study will attempt to answer the above questions. The main purpose of the article is to diagnose and analyze selected government programs targeted at older people. In addition, perspectives for changes in social policy toward older people in Poland will be determined.