The Health Status of the Elderly in Poland: Educational Challenges Cover Image

Stan zdrowia osób starszych w Polsce: wyzwania edukacyjne
The Health Status of the Elderly in Poland: Educational Challenges

Author(s): Ewa Romanowska
Subject(s): Adult Education, Health and medicine and law, Gerontology, Sociology of Education
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Sklodowskiej
Keywords: education for the elderly; geragogics; successful aging; geronprophylaxis; health promotion of the elderly;

Summary/Abstract: The article contains a review of national research reports showing the state of health of the Polish older adults in the last decade. On this basis functions, areas and tasks of geragogics in the elderly's health care are defined. Positive changes in health status of the elderly require action in three closely connected areas: knowledge, skills and social competence. The article stresses the importance of self-help networks and intergenerational cooperation. The elderly education in the contemporary world must be tailored to the needs and capabilities of the older adults. It should not be reserved for the elite in the form and content. The older adults should not be treated as passive recipients. This requires the training of more highly skilled tutors who find employment in existing and new centers of the elderly education. They should become the animators of social and outdoor activity, and, above all, the animators of the elderly and intergenerational self-help groups. This requires both the grassroots social actions and responsible social policy.

  • Issue Year: 5/2017
  • Issue No: 1 (9)
  • Page Range: 12-26
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish