| Sažetak | Starenje je proces koji se odvija tijekom života svake osobe, a obuhvaća fizičke, mentalne i društvene promjene koje se događaju s vremenom uz postupno smanjenje tjelesnih funkcija, uključujući snagu, fleksibilnost, ravnotežu i kognitivne funkcije. |
| Sažetak (engleski) | Aging is a process that occurs throughout each person's life, and includes physical, mental, and social changes that occur over time with a gradual decline in bodily functions, including strength, flexibility, balance, and cognitive functions. Old age is part of the life period that comes after middle age, and it can be described through chronological, physiological and psychological age. There is no specific, comprehensive theory that can explain all the complexity of the aging process, but three fundamental factors (biological, social and psychological) in the aging process are described, so there are biological, sociological and psychological theories of aging.
According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics for the year 2021, the continuous aging of the population continues, the average age of the total population was 44.3 years (men 42.5 years, women 45.9 years), which ranks Croats among the oldest nations in Europe. With the growing aging index in Croatia, it is becoming increasingly important to plan and provide adequate health care for the elderly. This includes developing disease prevention programs and promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection and treatment of diseases, and providing quality palliative care. The Declaration on Active Aging represents an important step in recognizing and solving the challenges faced by older people around the world. She emphasizes that aging should not be a burden on society, but that older people can be important and active members of the community.
A survey was conducted with the aim of determining whether there are differences in knowledge and attitudes about older people. 72 nursing students from the University North in Varaždin and the Faculty of Health Studies in Rijeka participated in the research. The research was conducted by online surveying of students using a specially structured questionnaire and semantic differential. The results showed that there is no statistically significant difference in the attitudes between third-year and lower-year students. The conclusion of this research is that attitudes towards the elderly are formed not only by education or knowledge about them, but also by some other factors such as contact and coexistence with the elderly. |
