Social care as a factor in improving the quality of life of the elderly (on the basis of expert survey)
The current social and economic situation is a source of many social risks for the elderly. There risks have a negative impact on their quality of life and give rise to a number of physiological, psychological, material and spiritual issues. The elderly stand in need of proactive social care aimed at minimizing the negative impact of social risks and at improving quality of living. This article examines social services as a factor of such an improvement. The available statistical data and research show the rise in the numbers of the elderly who experience social risks and need an efficient system of social services which would make use of a variety of forms and methods of social aid. In winter 2016 we conducted an empirical study in Moscow in the form of an expert survey. All of the 21 respondent experts worked in the medical and social sphere and had had experience of working with the elderly as recipients of social services. The study focused at the quality of life of the elderly who are susceptible of social risks and at the social services they receive as a factor of improving the quality of living. Our hypothesis was that while social care is generally an important factor of improving the quality of life, only some of its forms (such as in-home aid or daycare) can significantly raise the quality of life of the elderly who run social risks. The survey fully confirmed our hypothesis. As it becomes clear from the expert assessments, the social workers themselves view social care as an important factor of improving the quality of living of the elderly. This emphasizes the need to develop and improve the institute of social care, especially emergency and in-home social aid.