| Abstract | Starenje je neizbježan proces. Bolji životni uvjeti i medicinska skrb produljili su prosječnu
životnu dob, ali ljudi nisu dulje mladi i zdravi nego se povećava udio osoba starije životne dobi u
ukupnom broju stanovnika. Osobe starije životne dobi suočavaju se s brojnim preprekama i
životnim promjenama. U profesionalnom radu s osobama starije životne dobi, osim znanja i
vještina koje posjeduju medicinske sestre/tehničari, na kvalitetu pruženih usluga mogu utjecati i
njihovi stavovi, stereotipi i predrasude. Osobe starije životne dobi u riziku su od diskriminacije,
kako okoline tako i stručnih osoba, pa je osvještavanje stavova i predrasuda koje imamo prema
njima način unaprjeđenja kvalitete usluge u zdravstvenom sustavu. Edukacija zdravstvenog
osoblja jedan je od efikasnijih načina na koji se može prevenirati pojava diskriminacije prema
osobama starije životne dobi. Provedeno je istraživanje u kojem je sudjelovalo 189 sudionika iz
cijele Hrvatske, a najviše sudionika bilo je iz Koprivničko-križevačke županije. Sudionici su
odgovarali na 43 pitanja, od kojih se 6 odnosilo na sociodemografske podatke. Ostalih 37
pitanja odnosilo se na znanja, stavove i predrasude o starenju i osobama starije životne dobi.
Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da su stavovi o starenju i osobama starije dobi uglavnom
pozitivni, a negativni stavovi prema negativnim stereotipima. U ovom istraživanju sudionike
najviše zabrinjava gubitak samostalnosti i ovisnost o drugima (40,74%) u starijoj životnoj dobi te
za uspješno starenje smatraju da bi najviše doprinjela veća financija pomoć (30,69%). Sudionici
iskazuju da se osobe starije dobi često osjećaju zanemareno (75,66%). Sudionici se strogo ne
slažu da su osobe starije dobi nesposobne (52,4%), ali se slažu da su diskiminirane u društvu
(66,66%) i socijalno izolirane (70,37%). Također vidljiva je suglasnost oko tvrdnje da su
prepuštene same sebi (41,27%), a ukoliko nemaju obitelj (73,01%) složili su se da su potpuno
prepuštene same sebi. Sudionici iskazuju da se o psihičkom zdravlju osoba starije dobi
nedovoljno govori (77,25%). Sudionici se slažu da je nedovoljno domova za osobe starije dobi
(87,30%) te da država ne ulaže dovoljno novaca u taj sektor (87,30%). Sudionici su također
prikazali nedoumicu sa tvrdnjom da osobe starije dobi gube seksualnu privlačnost prema sebi i
drugima (51,84%) što može upućivati u neznanje tog dijela osobnosti i potreba osoba starije
dobi. Ovi rezultati pokazuju da opća populcija uviđa problematiku osoba starije dobi, brine o
njima, voli njihovo društvo te pozitivno gleda na njih, ali također pokazuje potrebitost edukacije,
promocije zdravlja, prevencije bolesti i daljnjoj senzibilizaciji društva kako bi se osigurala
sigurna, ugodna i kvalitetna sredina za suživot i prikladnu zaštitu osoba starije životne dobi. |
| Abstract (english) | Aging is an inevitable process. Improved living conditions and medical care have extended
average life expectancy, but people are not necessarily remaining youthful and healthy longer;
instead, the proportion of elderly individuals in the overall population is increasing. Older adults
face numerous challenges and life changes. In professional work with elderly individuals, the
quality of service provided can be influenced not only by the knowledge and skills of
nurses/technicians but also by their attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices. Elderly individuals are
at risk of discrimination from both society and professionals, making awareness of biases and
attitudes a way to improve service quality within the healthcare system. Educating healthcare
staff is one of the most effective ways to prevent discrimination against older adults. A study was
conducted with 189 participants from across Croatia, with most respondents coming from the
Koprivničko-križevačka županija. Participants answered 43 questions, six of which pertained to
sociodemographic data. The remaining 37 questions focused on knowledge, attitudes, and
prejudices about aging and elderly individuals. The results of the study indicate that attitudes
toward aging and elderly individuals are generally positive, with negative attitudes directed
toward harmful stereotypes. The study found that participants are most concerned about the loss
of independence and dependence on others in old age (40.74%) and believe that financial
assistance would contribute most to successful aging (30.69%). Participants indicated that
elderly individuals often feel neglected (75.66%). While 52.4% of participants strongly
disagreed with the statement that older adults are incapable, 66.66% agreed that they are
discriminated against in society, and 70.37% considered them socially isolated. Additionally,
there was agreement that elderly individuals are left to fend for themselves (41.27%), and if they
lack family support, participants agreed at a rate of 73.01% that they are completely left on their
own. Participants also expressed that mental health issues among the elderly are insufficiently
addressed (77.25%). Furthermore, 87.30% of participants agreed that there are too few nursing
homes for elderly individuals, and the same percentage felt that the government does not invest
enough in this sector. Participants showed some uncertainty regarding the statement that elderly
individuals lose sexual attractiveness for themselves and others (51.84%), which may indicate a
lack of awareness about this aspect of elderly individuals' personality and needs. These findings
suggest that the general population recognizes the challenges faced by older adults, values their
company, and holds a positive view of them. However, there is also a clear need for further
education, health promotion, disease prevention, and societal awareness to ensure a safe,
comfortable, and high-quality environment for coexistence and adequate protection of elderly
individuals. |
