THERE’S MORE TO GOOD CARE THAN JUST A GOOD SERVICE: RESULTS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL SURVEY

• Published in: Innovation in aging 2017-07, Vol.1 (suppl_1), p.813-813
• Main Authors: Ramovs, A., Ramovs, J., Mlakar, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.2935

With evidence that majority of the infirm elderly live at home and is taken care of by informal caregivers, staying home as long as possible and support of both, caretakers and caregivers, became focus of new European and American actions and policies. According to SHARE and our survey data, 25.4 % of Slovenians are older than 60 years and 75% of those in need of care live at home (like in other central EU counties). In order to help professionals and governments to improve and assist with the informal care (also in form of different care services) it is essential to understand risk and protective factors for good care, i.e. what helps caregivers to care well for the elderly, what gives infirm elderly their human dignity even in their disability and what are pitfalls in the caregiver-caretaker relationship. As an answer to these questions large-scale representative survey on the needs, potentials and standpoints of Slovene population aged 50+ was carried out in form of personal field interview by Anton Trstenjak Institute – National Institute of Gerontology. The qualitative analysis showed that 57% of people interviewed were able to list one or more good memories from the time of caregiving or caretaking. Good relationship, ethical fulfillment of human responsibility of the one who is strong against the weaker one and thankful acceptance of help are some of the most prominent answers. Together with the analysis of happiness and content, these results clearly indicate that quality of care becomes significantly higher with congruent relationship between caregiver and caretaker - moreover, if they are not taken into account, even first rate service will not bring content.