ELDERLY IN MONTENEGRO – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Institute of Public Health of Montenegro Trieste, 14 th May 2015

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN MONTENEGRO  In the last twenty years, demographic changes have being initiated adoption of fundamental changes in systems responsible for organization of care for the elderly people.  Namely, in Montenegro there are 12.8% of citizens older than 65 years, with increasing tendency.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN MONTENEGRO  These changes require different approach to expressed needs of the population. Elderly people insist on meeting their needs in their own homes in an integrated manner.

CHALLENGES  Recommendations are to use potentials of aging in economic, cultural, health and all other aspect, along with the provision of conditions for healthy aging.

CHALLENGES  The challenges of population aging in the country at the country macro level is largely addressed through the reform of the pension system and labor market reforms in economic crisis affecting most countries.  Mandatory length of working service has been extended, in order to increase performance of older and use their potential.

VULNERABILITY OF OLD PEOPLE  Another problem at the micro level is the vulnerability, poverty and social exclusion of old people, which creates conditions for stereotypes and prejudices about older people.  In Montenegro, protection of the elderly has been improving through the system of chosen doctor, organization of day care centers for the elderly, assistance at home....

INTERGNERATION GAP  There is generational separation, which in the long term may cause intergeneration gap and further worsening of life quality of elderly people. The solution of this situation many authors see in the intergeneration cooperation and solidarity between generations.  In Montenegro, it is planned to build centers for inter-generational solidarity

IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY WORK IN OVERCOMING GENERATIONAL PROBLEMS  Volunteering is especially important in creating good relationships, as it allows collaboration without high financial investments.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS IN OVERCOMING PROBLEMS OF AGING  Implementation of projects, such as "NetAge" allows using experience and knowledge of those countries that have significantly more experience in the organization of care for the elderly.

CHALLENGES FOR FUTURE  All mentioned indicates that in the future it is necessary to look for alternative opportunities to maintain a respectable social position of older people, where in addition to inter-generational solidarity it will be needed to affect intergenerational interaction and related social capital of individuals and society.  Social capital includes informal networks that emerge from solidarity and emotional connection to support formal forms of assistance to the elderly

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