‘The graveyard is the biggest neighbourhood’: experience of ageing and social support in the depopulating village of Bania, Panagyurishte
‘The graveyard is the biggest neighbourhood’: experience of ageing and social support in the depopulating village of Bania, Panagyurishte

Summary/Abstract: This paper deals with the experience of ageing, as well as the structure and perceptions on the social network of elderly in the depopulating village of Bania near Panagyurishte. Results show that the process of ageing is perceived rather negatively. The older villagers suffer from multiple problems such as poverty, impaired health combined with low health care quality, and loneliness. The presence of death and several negative stereotypes of older people have also significantly contributed to the negative experience of ageing. The positive features of ageing are the satisfaction of retirement, as well as the joy of caring for children and grandchildren. The social network size of elderly in Bania is smaller than that of elderly elsewhere. This is especially so in winters, when those living only temporary in the village return to their city lives. The villagers have, though, a strong sense of community, they are well connected and mutually supportive. Adult children, together with spouses, are perceived as the most important source of social support. However, when adult children do not live close by, neighbours have partially overtaken the role of supporting the adult children’s parents.

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