Age In Poland Research Articles

Determinants of Quality of Life in Ageing Populations: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Finland, Poland and Spain.

PurposeTo comprehensively identify the determinants of quality of life (QoL) in a population study sample of persons aged 18–50 and 50+.MethodsIn this observational, cross-sectional study, QoL was measured with the WHOQOL-AGE, a brief instrument designed to measure QoL in older adults. Eight hierarchical regression models were performed to identify determinants of QoL. Variables were entered in the following order: Sociodemographic; Health Habits; Chronic Conditions; Health State description; Vision and Hearing; Social Networks; Built Environment. In the final model, significant variables were retained. The final model was re-run using data from the three countries separately.ResultsComplete data were available for 5639 participants, mean age 46.3 (SD 18.4). The final model accounted for 45% of QoL variation and the most relevant contribution was given by sociodemographic data (particularly age, education level and living in Finland: 17.9% explained QoL variation), chronic conditions (particularly depression: 4.6%) and a wide and rich social network (4.6%). Other determinants were presence of disabling pain, learning difficulties and visual problems, and living in usable house that is perceived as non-risky. Some variables were specifically associated to QoL in single countries: age in Poland, alcohol consumption in Spain, angina in Finland, depression in Spain, and self-reported sadness both in Finland and Poland, but not in Spain. Other were commonly associated to QoL: smoking status, bodily aches, being emotionally affected by health problems, good social network and home characteristics.ConclusionsOur results highlight the importance of modifiable determinants of QoL, and provide public health indications that could support concrete actions at country level. In particular, smoking cessation, increasing the level of physical activity, improving social network ties and applying universal design approach to houses and environmental infrastructures could potentially increase QoL of ageing population.

Spatial diversity of demographic aging in Poland

In the assessment of the demographic age and ageing a lot of measures are being exploited. Among the most commonly used may be mentioned those which express the relationship between the number of people in two age groups (the elderly and the general population or younger age group). Rarely are used such measures, which take into account all the age structure of the population. The article presents a new method to analyze spatial diversity of the population age structure using the method of agglomeration with the Euclidean metric. The test objects were the voivodships (provinces), and the explanatory variables were five-year age groups (20 variables). In addition, a hypothetical business was introduced, which has a regressive age structure. Its introduction allowed for an evaluation of how the test regions differ not only among themselves, but also how far they deviate from the pattern of development of the Polish population. Considerations were conducted separately for men and women and the 1991, 2001, 2011.

Early effects of an early start: Evidence from lowering the school starting age in Poland

This paper investigates some early outcomes of the reform to lower the school starting age in Poland. It explores data on the school performance of 6- and 7-year-old pupils, collected in the transitory period of the reform, when parents were welcomed to enroll their 6-year-old children in the first grade on a voluntary basis. The discovery is that older students do perform better at the end of first grade, but the separately measured effect of an early school start also seems to be beneficial. We point out a selection of unobservables as a possible explanation of the results obtained. The study concludes with some recommendations regarding educational policy and the implementation of politically difficult reforms.

STAROŚĆ DEMOGRAFICZNA W POLSCE. UJĘCIE PRZESTRZENNE

W ocenie stopnia zaawansowania starości demograficznej wykorzystuje sie wiele miar, ale czy ich przestrzenna analiza prowadzi do podobnych wnioskow? Analiza prowadzona jest dla lat 1991–2013 wedlug plci i wojewodztw. Określono konwergencje typu beta, gamma i sigma oraz wplyw urodzen i zgonow na stopien zaawansowania starości demograficznej.

Availability of health services vs. health condition of residents of rural areas in Poland - Analysis performed on the basis of EHIS 2009.

One of the aspects considered in a debate preceding the establishment of the new retirement age in Poland, was the health condition of the Polish population. A steady increase in the average life expectancy, observed for several years, is much higher in the cities than in the country. One of the reasons for this might be a limited availability of health services in rural areas. The aim of the study is to assess the scale of income-related inequalities in the access to health services in rural areas, and subsequently to assess the impact of having to give up some medical services on the subjective perception of health condition by rural inhabitants. Individual data derived from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) conducted in 2009 constituted the basis for the presented analysis. The concentration index was used to measure the income-related inequalities in the use of medical services. The ordered logit model was used to verify the hypothesis that the availability of health services has an impact on the health condition. Significant differences in the distribution of medical services utilization with regard to income, were found only in the case of hospital services. People with low income stay in hospital more often. The obtained inequality indices show a lack of income-related inequality in the use of outpatient services. The performed analyses confirm a negative impact of giving up this type of services on the health condition of residents of rural areas. The availability of medical services is an important determinant of the health condition. Too few medical institutions and scarce medical personnel limits the use of these services, and not only for people with low income.

Aging in Poland.

With 38 million residents, Poland has the eighth-largest population in Europe. A successful transition from communism to democracy, which began in 1989, has brought several significant changes to the country's economic development, demographic structure, quality of life, and public policies. As in the other European countries, Poland has been facing a rapid increase in the number of older adults. Currently, the population 65 and above is growing more rapidly than the total population and this discrepancy will have important consequences for the country's economy. As the population ages, there will be increased demands to improve Poland's health care and retirement systems. This article aims to provide a brief overview of the demographic trends in Poland as well a look at the country's major institutions of gerontology research. The article also describes key public policies concerning aging and how these may affect the well-being of Poland's older adults.

Health Habits and Their Formation Among Today’S Young People of School Age in Poland

Abstract This paper presents the impact of health education on life expectancy and adaption to modern conditions. The acquisition of healthy attitude in the first and second decade of life influences the development of trade, economic status and helps efficiently cope with stress. The article highlights the impact of “health literacy”, the school environment and family upbringing and subsequent persistence in health. Organization of education should be started from childhood. Unfortunately many teachers and parents cannot supply information about sanitary education, correct sanitation, healthy nutrition and physical activity. Disciples who lack support and knowledge can be exposed under pressure of contemporary risky operations. Pediatric population makes up to 30 % of the whole population. In the first and second decade of life the baby is shaped and strengthens previously instilled habits. Stage of puberty is the most favorable moment for proper physical development of young people. During this period perpetuate conscious health behaviors, but at the same time there are health risk behaviors. These behaviors affect the quality and duration in health. Measures of health policy on school-age children should be focused primarily on prevention and health promotion.

Beeswax remnants, phase and major element chemical composition of the bronze age mould from Gaj Oławski (SW Poland)

The recently found metal casting mould from Gaj Olawski (SW Poland) was designed for the production of socketed axes typical for later stages of the Bronze Age in Poland (ca. 1100–900 bc). This unique artefact is a half of a durable, two-piece wedge-shaped mould and measures 17.5 × 7.2 × 4.0 cm. The surface of the mould is covered copper oxides and carbonates, and the remnant of beeswax was found on its inner surface. The metal forming mould consists of cored dendrites of Cu-dominated (Cu >96.5 wt%, up to 2.2 wt% Sn) and Cu impoverished (Cu ~86.0 wt%, Sn ~9.4 wt%, some Sb, As and Ag) end compositions and volumetrically subordinate α + δ eutectoid. The “as cast” structure of the metal shows that the mould was never used for molten metal casting. Since this kind of moulds was used for mass casting of metal, the Gaj Olawski one was probably never used, and the beeswax is the remain of its coating. This is the first remain of the Bronze Age beeswax described in metallurgical context in Europe.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the awareness of Polish society. Report from the public opinion survey by the Polish Respiratory Society and TNS Polska.

It is assumed that signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be found in 9.3% subjects of more than 40 years of age in general population in Poland. The aim of the presented survey was to assess knowledge of COPD in adult general population in Poland. The study was performed in June 2013 in a representative sample of 1,000 persons of at least 15 years of age in Poland, using standardized direct interview. In 2013 only 3% Polish people admitted they had ever heard of COPD and knew what the acronym meant. Further 11% persons admitted having heard the term but had no further knowledge of the subject. Thus, the total of 14% persons in general population had previously heard of COPD albeit superficially. This figure is slightly higher as compared to the study performed in 2004. The second part of the study was performed in patients with COPD. Patients perceive the disease as a limiting factor in their daily lives, including negative impact on physical activity, causing loss of physical attractiveness (more often reported by women) or hurting their image of a strong and caring person (more often reported by men). The disease demands re-evaluation of the previous lifestyle, alienates patients from other people, and generates financial burden. Half of the entire studied general population either does not have any associations concerning potential causes of COPD or report various erroneous connotations (e.g. excessive alcohol consumption as a cause of the disease). Even patients with COPD have a similar view on causes of the disease. Importantly, the study revealed that awareness of the disease in smokers does not essentially differ from that in general public. Half of the res pondents admitted having no knowledge on prevention of COPD. There is an urgent need for widespread public education on preventive measures. Study results support the need of educating both healthy subjects and patients with COPD as to how effectively reduce the risk of developing the disease. One third of all respondents has no assumptions in this regard (i.e. explicitly declares having no knowledge at all on the subject), and more than 40% subjects have various misconceptions. Educators should therefore spread information about the disease but also correct these misconceptions.

Possibilities and limitations of research methods of the social structure in the Roman Iron Age in Poland

The question of structure of prehistoric communities constitutes an interesting, yet challenging research problem. Most often it is analyzed from the perspective of the equipment of individuals buried it cemeteries. Researchers dealing with the Roman period, largely base their studies on the qualitative and quantitative diversity of funerary material, assume that the richly furnished graves belonged to rich people (elites), and poorly equipped – respectively – to the poor. They take into account the present value of materials of which objects were made (gold, silver), even though they may not have been as significant as they are today. A major problem in the study of social structure turns out to be the poorly preserved bone material which often prevents anthropologists from determining sex and age of the deceased. The solution could be found in the study of fossil DNA, able to answer questions about the possible existence of kinship and family sectors in the cemeteries. What is more, the study of stable isotopes of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon, although not without limitations, can support archeology in finding answers to questions if diet could be related to social status (or dependent on sex, age, wealth, etc.). Finally, in the study of social structure, the research on divisions arising from labor and its distribution according to sex is also used. In the studies of social structure it is crucial to realize that burial is an intentional action, which is influenced by the aspirations of family members of the deceased, grief, emotions related to death, and even current “fashion”. Therefore, asking questions about the social structure and using methods which are to help obtain the answers, what we really ask about is the attitude of the living towards the deceased and death itself, as well as their own idea of the afterlife.

Fine motor skills of the hands in Polish and Czech female senior citizens from different backgrounds.

The aim of the present study was an in-depth analysis of fine motor skills of the hands in elderly women from different socio-cultural backgrounds. The research also included analysis of the associations of age with the variables assessing right- and left-hand motor skills and its effect on hand performance asymmetry. The study examined 486 women over the age of 60. The study measured dominant and non-dominant hand performance using the motor performance series test battery (aiming, line tracking, inserting pins, tapping) from the Vienna test system. The best results in the tests assessing coordinated hand movements were achieved by the group of elderly women attending a University of the Third Age in Poland. This may be the result of a larger variety of physical activity programs offered at this type of institution. However, due to the cross-sectional design of the study, additional research of a longitudinal nature needs to be performed using the same sample of individuals to draw any definitive conclusions. Additionally, a decrease in the differences between dominant and non-dominant hand function with age was observed.

Plants and environment: results of archaeobotanical research of the Bronze Age settlements in the Carpathian Foothills in Poland

The first permanent occupation in the micro-region localized around Janowice, in the middle valley of the Dunajec river in the Polish Carpathian Foothills, begun at the turn of the Middle Bronze Age and the Late Bronze Age. Different landscape forms were settled, in which the highest part of the hills or areas located in the proximity of the river were especially chosen for stable settlement. All of them were characterized by the presence of fertile loess and alluvial soils. Macroscopic plant remains found in different occupational phases of six archaeological sites represent cultivated and wild plants. The remains of cultivated plants confirmed that plant resources formed an important part of the past subsistence strategies. It was observed that the same spectrum of cultivated species was utilized during about one millennium of occupation in the forelands, from the beginning of the occupation until the end of the Early Iron Age. Hordeum vulgare, Triticum diccocon, Triticum spelta and Panicum miliaceum were the dominant cereal crops. A consistent choice of varied cereal species, along with pulses, may indicate that both winter and summer crops were cultivated and the works dedicated to crop farming were distributed along various months. This strategy could also provide higher and more reliable yields. In addition, the edaphic requirements of weed remains may confirm that people used rich and moderately moist soils for cereal cultivation. Overall, a relatively early cultivation of spelt wheat and millet should be emphasized in the Carpathian Foothills since the oldest phase can be dated back to ca. 1500–1300 cal. BC. A relatively high abundance and ubiquity of spelt wheat resulted very interesting in the context of other cereal remains found in the Late Bronze Age in Poland. In addition, an Agricultural Predictive Model was prepared for the closest regions of the settlements in order to demonstrate areas with optimal environmental conditions for agricultural practices. Altogether, macroscopic plant remains are related mainly to synanthropic habitats from fields to ruderal ones. Moreover, human activities could be also responsible for the development of steppe-like plant communities, which are inferred after the finding of feather grass (Stipa sp.). The remains of wood preserved as charcoals represent a separate group of plants. They were associated to firewood collections and therefore their analysis may be used for the reconstruction of local woodlands. A major formation is the oak-hornbeam forest. Interestingly, at the end of the Subboreal period, woodlands were dominated by late-arriving species to the Polish territory, such as Carpinus betulus and Fagus sylvatica. Abies alba is also well represented, especially in settlements located on the hills. It seems that forest formations were also subjected to anthropization and the main changes included the presence of more open forests and appearance of unstable stands in different successional stages.

Employment in Long-Term Care. Report on Poland

The report discusses the formal long-term care workforce in Poland. It presents past and future trends in the development of LTC employment. Authors collected scattered statistical information, estimated lacking data and projected future growth in the number of employed in care services. Performed analysis includes employment in the health and social sector and across various types of care. Projections of the demand for care and supply of the LTC workforce base on the demographic prognosis of the population size and changes in the age structure taking into account different scenarios for demographic development. Results show the growing gap between demand and supply in the LTC employment. The policy towards aging in Poland will must take up the challenge of growing care needs, family changes and lower opportunities for provision of informal care.

W 90. rocznicę urodzin – Profesor Halina Szwarc – twórczyni uniwersytetów trzeciego wieku w Polsce

The article reminds a profile of Professor Halina Szwarc (1923–2002), who is one of the most outstanding Polish andragogists, being a creator of the concept of a university of the third age in Poland, whose realisation was the third educational facility of this type in the world. The text makes references to her origins and childhood. Her heroic conspiracy activity which she started in 1939, being only 16, is presented. Her life in the post-war period is presented, focusing above all on her scientific and professional career, but not omitting personal threads. Much attention is given to her efforts made in founding the University of the Third Age in Warsaw, to which she gave broad goals and tasks, as well as forms of activity. The article is ended with an appeal to the contemporary figures of the world of science for a permanent remembrance and recognition for Professor Szwarc and following her example.

Reactive and Proactive Age Management Strategies in Polish Companies – Research Results

Population aging is an objective process that will be unavoidable for the foreseeable future, because demographic changes cannot be quickly reversed. Populations are aging in Poland and other countries, particularly highly urbanised and industrialised ones. As a result, in addition to having to cope with the numerous challenges of globalisation, internationalisation, tertiarisation, informatisation, growth of competition and innovation, as well as changing consumption patterns and customs, organisations also face the effects of aging. Successive types of age management strategies and practices have arisen from how age management has been understood and handled, which shows that organisations develop linearly. Two early types are examples of reactive strategies that emerged in response to the requirements of the business environment. Other strategies, which I refer to in the paper as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation strategies, are proactive. In this paper I classify age-management strategies adopted by Polish employers using an indicator that I designed. The study results demonstrate that while Polish employers differ in how they approach the problem of age and how they manage it in the instrumental and functional sphere, in the institutional sphere they are only somewhat advanced and differentiated. „Soft” age management is a necessary part of a company’s social model, and makes it possible for many stakeholders to benefit. The economic model, on the other hand, seems insufficient, particularly in the long term.

AKTYWNOŚĆ FIZYCZNA DOROSŁYCH MIESZKAŃCÓW KATOWIC A WYBRANE UWARUNKOWANIA ZAWODOWE I SPOŁECZNO-EKONOMICZNE

The issue of physical activity (PA) is often addressed in the literature, but its socio-economic determinants are fully recognized. To date no studies of the adult population of Katowice have been carried out. Research in this area is of great importance in the context of the documented influence of PA on health and extension of retirement age in Poland. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between PA and socio-economic status of adult residents of Katowice. The study carried out in 2010 comprised 2053 people (987 women and 1066 men) aged 30-65 years. To evaluate PA in the study group the diagnostic survey method and a research tool in the form of an abridged version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with specification expanded by the authors, were used. In the statistical analysis logistic regression was employed. The likelihood of meeting the standards of health-enhancing PA was higher in men than in women and it decreased with age and education level of the respondents. The highest proportion of those meeting the recommendation of health-enhancing PA was observed among blue-collar workers, operators, teachers, police and soldiers. The lowest probability of meeting the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine was found among economists and lawyers, office workers, the unemployed, managers, and engineers, pensioners and health care professionals. The study demonstrates the correlation between PA and socio-economic status of the respondents. The analysis of the results indicates the necessity to promote PA programs mainly among women, the elderly, the unemployed, pensioners and representatives of professions, such as economists, lawyers, managers, engineers, and health professionals.

Challenging Marginalization at the Universities of the Third Age in Poland

Older people in Poland often describe and experience old age as a time in the life course marked by discrimination and marginalization. In this postsocialist context, a still-dominant Cold-War logic links older people to the devalued socialist past and younger people to the present and future of the Polish nation-state. Contemporary media portray old age as defined by physical and mental decline and social isolation. The most visible challenge to such temporal, bodily, and social exclusion occurs through Universities of the Third Age, where older people learn new skills, cultivate hobbies, and explicitly theorize growing old as a positive phase of life. Drawing on twenty months of ethnographic research, this article traces key sociocultural, political-economic, and historical factors that contribute to discrimination against and empowerment of older people in Poland. By analyzing national politics and media representations of old age together with ethnographic data from Universities of the Third Age, this article highlights the practices through which older Poles feel themselves to be transformed in old age—and asks who may be excluded from such practices—thus contributing to gerontological discussions of “active aging” and anthropological understandings of sociality in late life.

Sharp increase in statin use and large changes in lipids and hsCRP in adults >=55 years of age in Poland during the last decade

Purpose: To assess the changes in lipids and hsCRP levels in the last decade in general population in Poland and to investigate the impact of widespread statin use on these changes. Material and methods: Two independent, national representative random samples of Polish adults aged 18-79 were drawn using multistage, clustered sampling procedure. The studies were conducted in 2002 (n=2053) and 2011 (n=2363). Changes of mean values of LDL-, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were calculated. Results: The mean value of LDL-Ch decreased in Poland in men from 134,2 mg/dL to 124.5 mg/dL (p<0.001) and in women from 137.7 mg/dL to 124.5 mg/dL (p<0.001). Relative change of cholesterol subfractions, as well as hsCRP level in age groups are presented in Table 1 and Figure 1. There was a substantial fall in mean LDL-Ch and increase in HDL-Ch between 2002 and 2011 in people aged ≥55. Those changes were accompanied by large decrease of hsCRP and were consistent with substantial increase in statin use. View this table: Table 1 ![Figure][1] Conclusions: Sharp increase in use of statins in Polish adults ≥55 years of age might have substantial contribution to changes observed in lipids and hsCRP, similar to those observed in large clinical trials. [1]: pending:yes

Plasma level of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in elderly population in Poland — The PolSenior Study

BackgroundThe brain natriuretic peptides (BNP, NT-proBNP) are useful diagnostic markers of heart failure (HF), as exemplified by the ESC Heart Failure guidelines. The PolSenior project was an epidemiological study carried out to examine medical, psychological and socioeconomic aspects of aging in Poland. The aim of this study is an epidemiological description of HF based on elderly population from the PolSenior Study, stratified by NT-pro-BNP concentration values. Material and methodsThe research sample included 4979 respondents (2567 males and 2412 females) split into six equally sized age groups of elderly individuals. The study consisted of three visits performed by trained nurses and included a questionnaire survey, comprehensive geriatric assessment and blood and urine sampling with more than 50 biochemical parameters measured. Serum NT-pro-BNP was measured by electrochemiluminescence method (ECLIA). ResultsThe prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (77.8%) and atrial fibrillation (39.5%), number of hospitalizations (23.7%) and number of patients treated with HF drugs were highest in NT-proBNP >2000pg/ml group and least frequent in NT-proBNP <400pg/ml group. Obese patients had significantly more frequently NT-proBNP values <400pg/ml (73.0%) and less frequently NT-proBNP values >2000pg/ml (2.8%). Age over 70years and male gender were associated with the increased NT-pro-BNP (>400pg/ml) (OR 1.41; CI 1.20–1.65 for male gender). ConclusionsWe conclude that CKD and atrial fibrillation are associated with the occurrence of increased NT-pro-BNP, the surrogate for HF in elderly population. On the contrary, overweight or obesity is associated with lower prevalence of HF in elderly.

EVALUATION OF ACTIVITIES AND NEEDS OF OLDER WORKERS IN THE CONTEXT OF MAINTAINING THEIR EMPLOYMENT

The article presents the results of evaluation of activities for older workers (50+). The aim of the study was the examination of older workers' opinions on activities undertaken in their companies related to maintaining older workers' employment. Data is derived from the questionnaire survey conducted on 50+ employees (250 women and 250 men). Almost one fifth of the employees admitted that they feel discriminated against in their company. Only a quarter of older workers declared that they had special offer of trainings, most of them concerned update trainings, expending knowledge (40% of responses). Only about one fifth of respondents admitted that they were encouraged to further their education. The smallest number of actions concerned health promotion. Older workers have different needs than younger ones, especially in the organization and working conditions. Activities related to the management of aging in Poland are still taken to a small extent. Disturbing is the fact that so few respondents admitted that in their companies, there were activities conducted concerning health promotion. From the point of view of working capacity and extending the retirement age, such initiatives should be carried out on a large scale among workers of all ages, with particular emphasis on the elderly.