In the common opinion, old age is still a taboo. Among the variety of the difficulties experienced by the elderly, there are also an increasingly occurring struggle with acclimating to the aging, and a sense of being a burden. The article focuses on the issue of loneliness, especially among elderly people. It is also an attempt to answer the questions of whether the old people experience loneliness, and what are the factors that affect this condition. In order to reply to these questions, the author attempted an analysis of the issues basing on literature, using theoretical analysis data and the earlier research.

This article aims to note the importance of non-formal education in the context of lifelong learning, especially in last phase. A secondary analysis of empirical research, conducted in Germany as part of a unique project “Competencies in Later Life” (CiLL), is the starting point for a reflection on the necessity of support of educational processes, enabling the development of qualifications after leaving formal education system. This study allowed to determine the level of competence of literacy, numeracy and problem solving in technology-rich environments of the population aged 66-80 years.The conclusions of the study are clear: in connection with a deficit of the core competencies of older people is needed educational offer. Participation in education can prevent exclusion from social life.

The Problem of Old Age in Japanese Literature of the 20th Century on the Example of Tanizaki Junichirō’s (1886–1965) Works

In Japanese prose of 20th century, especially post-war prose, there was great Tanizaki who developed in his literature the problem of old age together with such its aspects as aging - related diseases, senility, loss of vitality or fear of death. The aim of this article is to introduce and describe the problem of old age in Tanizaki’s literature by giving as example his essays and two novels. In The Key and Mad Old Man Tanizaki depicts in great detail old age, aging - related diseases, loss of sexual potential, fear of death, or attempts of pursuit for happiness in the old age days. The two novels are the most detailed, careful considerations about old age in Japanese literature, as well as the example of a very bold depiction of increasing sexual excitability in people who are facing old age. The novel’s diaristic form shows author’s very intimate and special attitude toward time and old age. Awareness of death is a privilege that can free an old man from all social and moral restrictions - Tanizaki sketches a boundary that can be reached in the last desires of life. The author is also asking a question: is it worth striving for unchanging, eternal ideals, even at the price of losing one’s life on the way to gain them? The creation of the two novels, was preceded by a series of autobiographical essays, written in 1957-1965, which were an invaluable source of information about the writer’s last period of his literary activity. These essays - cited in the article, can be considered as the material for starting the creation of the mentioned novels, in effect giving them a somewhat autobiographical character.

The paper considers issues regarding the right to health protection on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 1997 and the actual performance of the health protection system for the elderly. Particular attention is devoted to the constitutional guarantee of equal access to medical services. The purpose of this study is to check to what extent public guarantees of access to medical services are in conflict with the reality of the health protection system for the elderly.

Among many demographic changes, one of the most evident now is the aging of the population, the consequences of which are increasingly leaving a mark on the directions of social policy. In connection with the aging of the population and positive aspects, manifestations of ageism, based on stereotypes and negative attitudes toward older people, are also more and more noticeable. Sometimes, these are discriminatory practices against older people encountered in the health sector, the labor market, public offices, and others. The research presented in the article aimed to identify age discrimination and its manifestations among older people. The purposive sampling technique was used to choose the research sample – the assumption was to examine active older people related to a large city who get involved and participate in various activities and projects carried out for them by nongovernmental organizations. The method of a diagnostic survey with a questionnaire, which included both closed and open-ended questions, was used in the research. The research was intended to help answer the following questions: do older people notice age discrimination, and have they experienced worse treatment because of their age? How many of the surveyed seniors experienced worse treatment and what forms (most often) did it take, and where did it happen?

Wraz z globalnym starzeniem się populacji praca socjalna z osobami starszymi nabiera coraz większego znaczenia dla społeczeństwa. Jednym z głównych warunków skutecznego prowadzenia pracy socjalnej z osobami starszymi jest szkolenie wykwalifikowanych specjalistów posiadających m.in. pozytywną postawę w zakresie pracy z osobami starszymi. Postawy pracowników socjalnych powstają w dużym stopniu podczas przechodzenia kształcenia zawodowego. W artykule opisano wyniki badania komponentu poznawczego postaw wobec pracy z osobami starszymi studentów kierunku „Praca socjalna” z Rosji (m. Omsk) i Polski (m. Lublin i m. Kielce). Jest ono częścią badania postaw wobec pracy z osobami starszymi studentów kierunków pomocowych, prowadzonego pod kierunkiem prof. dr hab. Anny Kanios w ramach Programu im. L. Kirklanda.

The paper presents a theoretical analysis of the links between human health and the quality of life, referring to the period of the old age and aging. The starting point for the analysis was the systemic, holistic and salutogenetic approach to health as physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing, the level of which is determined not only by the human biology but also lifestyle and factors in the living environment. The article shows that wellbeing, which is achieved, among other things, through an active lifestyle and good living conditions, is a category uniting health and the quality of life in the subjective and objective dimensions. Given the inevitability of involutional biological changes and social inequalities in the period of aging and the old age, it was recognized that pedagogical activities aimed at improving the quality of life of seniors are a part of the educational aspects of health promotion. The purpose of “education in the old age” is to free the health potential of senior citizens by stimulating their active lifestyle, which, however, requires education to prepare people for their old age.

Euroorphanhood concerns of older people whose children are staying abroad for a long time (in the project at least 12 months). Traditional network of support in Polish society is based on familiocentrism. According to this theory, the younger generations have obligations to the oldest members of their families which arising from the bonds of blood. Phenomenon of interest to us is its existential dimension (quality of life) and essential (quality of life). It is equally important, the objective (defined state of affairs) and subjective (personal sense of quality of life) approach. Euroorphanhood is a development phenomenon, because of a large spatial mobility of the younger generation on the one hand and quickly extending of the human life cycle. In this approach euroorphanhood will be subjected to empirical testing – it will be a comparative study in three countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Poland.

Solitude of the Elderly in the Context of Demographic Changes

Year 2012 was declared the European Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity. The eyes of Europe have been directed on an important issue of the problems of the elderly. Old age, which is naturally inscribed in human development, should be filled with satisfaction and joy, is often a phase of loneliness. Loneliness is very difficult for people in old age. Its social, emotional and axionormative dimension may be highlighted. In this work, I emphasize the need to become interested in the elderly, for whom appropriate prevention and intervention strategies should be prepared.