Successful aging and quality of life of the elderly people

Društvo današnjice, posebno u zemljama Europske Unije i Sjeverne Amerike, suočeno je s demografskim starenjem populacije. Interes znanstvenika za proučavanje i istraživanje starije populacije raste zbog porasta broja starijih osoba u ukupnom stanovništvu svijeta. Očekuje se nastavak trenda demografskog starenja, stoga je odabir proučavanja ove teme, u kontekstu socijalnog rada, vrlo bitan. Starost i starenje su povezani, ali ne istoznačni pojmovi. U ovom radu prikazuju se razlike između starosti i starenja te analizira pojam uspješnog starenja i kvalitete života osoba starije dobi. Naglasak je stavljen na istraživanja uspješnog starenja i kvalitetu života osoba starije dobi na području Republike Hrvatske. Osim toga, rad nudi i saznanja iz literature o društvenim aktivnostima osoba starije dobi te njihovim pravima u sustavu socijalne skrbi. U završnom radu razmatraju se prijedlozi za poboljšanje kvalitete života osoba starije dobi, u kojima se naglašavaju suvremeni trendovi individualnog pristupa u skrbi za osobe starije dobi.Today's society, especially in the countries of the European Union and North America, is facing a demographic aging of the population. The interest of scientists in studying and researching the elderly population is growing due to the increase in number of elderly people in the total population of the world. The trend of demographic aging is expected to continue, so the choice to study this topic, in the context of social work, is very important. Age and aging are related, but not synonymous terms. This paper presents the differences between age and aging and analyzes the concept of successful aging and quality of life of the elderly people. The emphasis of this paper is on research about successful aging and quality of life of the elderly people in the Republic of Croatia. In addition, the paper offers knowledge from the literature about social activities of the elderly people, and their rights in the social welfare system. The final paper considers suggestions for improving the quality of life of the elderly people. Suggestions for improvement highlight the current trends and individual approach, when it comes to care for the elderly people