By Sonila Isaku
Lack of incomes, health problems and low social engagement are some of the things reported on International Day for Older Persons. A study carried out by the Albanian Network of Elderly People shows that 38% of them live in poverty and 1 in 2 elderly people suffer from health problems. Meanwhile elderly people say that they can barely afford their monthly expenses and their medication with their pension.
Health
The study has shown that one in three elderly people consider their health as bad or very bad. “The negative self-perception of the general state of health was very high in the suburban areas and rural areas (almost one in two elderly people) and also among very elderly people (two in three people aged ≥80 reported a bad or a very bad state of health). The prevalence of chronic diseases was high, where one in two elderly people (48%) included in the study, reported the presence of at least one chronic illness. The prevalence of chronic illnesses was higher in rural areas (60%) and also among many elderly people (76%). Among individuals who reported the presence of at least one chronic illness, around 65% of them suffered from cardiovascular diseases; 25% of elderly people suffered of diabetes; 32% suffered of gastro-intestinal diseases and 37% suffered of illnesses affecting the respiratory tract”, says Faik Xhani of the Albanian Network of Elderly People. According to him, the study has shown that over 40% of elderly people had impaired sight, a condition which is highly encountered in suburban and rural areas and in elderly people. Meanwhile, one in four elderly people had impaired hearing and three in five elderly people reported mental health problems.
As far as access in the healthcare system is concerned, the study that was carried out showed that 16% of them reported that they had not been able to receive healthcare in the past year in those cases when there was a real need for such service. This phenomenon was highly present in suburban areas (one in four elderly people) and in very old people (40%). The main cause relates to the aggravated state of health, which had not allowed them to receive the necessary health services. Another reason was the relatively long distance between health centers and the homes of elderly people.
Social-economic situation
One third of elderly people in our country consider themselves poor, claiming that they cannot even meet their minimum standards of living. “The pension that I receive today is 4700 lek and my husband’s pension is also small. What can we do with this money? Pay for electricity, water, food or medication? We suffer from three types of illnesses”, says Myslyme Hysa, a pensioner. The study also shows that 1 in 4 elderly people do not have the necessary heating at home during the winter. Also, one in four people have responded that they don’t have a toilet inside their home and this has significantly affected the quality of living for very elderly people and those who have mobility problems.
Social engagement
Due to their age and restricted mobility, many elderly people do not have contacts with their relatives. The study shows that 8% of elderly people did not have any weekly contact with any of their family members and one in three elderly people did not meet with friends every day. As far as social involvement of elderly people is concerned, the study has shown that 18% of them are involved in different social organizations, including political parties, professional associations or other social organizations. In general, only 14% of elderly people responded that they were involved in moderate physical activity (18% of them were men and 11% were women).
Figures of the study
36% of elderly people consider their health as bad or very bad.
48% of elderly people who participated in the study, reported the presence of at least one chronic disease.
65% of them suffered from cardiovascular diseases; 25% of elderly people suffered from diabetes; 32% of them suffered from gastro-intestinal diseases and 37% suffered from diseases of the respiratory tract.
40% of elderly people had loss or impairing of sight and 30% of them suffered from the loss of hearing
3 in 5 people reported problems of mental health
8% of elderly people reported that they had no weekly contacts with any members of their family
18% of elderly people reported that they were involved in different social organizations, including political parties, professional associations, different NGOs, religious groups or other social organizations.
14% of elderly people reported that they were engaged in a moderate physical activity.
1 in 5 elderly people reported that they took care of family members who were older or who had more health issues than them.
