Older people recognize loneliness as their biggest problem.
This is, as announced by the Red Cross of Montenegro (CKCG), the key finding of the research "Representation of discrimination against the elderly population and perception of aging in Montenegro", which was conducted in the previous months on the territory of Montenegro, and whose implementation was supported by the International Federation of Red Cross Societies and the Red Crescent.
CKCG presented the results of that research today, and the key findings were presented by Ivana Smolović, coordinator at CKCG.
"It is worrying that online research has shown that there is a certain number of respondents, not large, but certainly not negligible, who express a desire to distance themselves in every sense from the elderly. The recommendation refers to the creation of services that would primarily be related to the provision of psycho- social support for the elderly, and it is necessary to point out the consequences of distancing themselves from the elderly. Also, there is a need for networking of competent institutions and organizations, exchange of information, quick resolution of individual cases, as well as a greater presence of professional workers in the field," the research found.
The CKCG announced that some of the recommendations of the research indicate that the elderly should be more represented in the media, that aging should be discussed objectively, which means that the most common problems faced by the elderly should be pointed out, as well as the benefits that old age provides. brings.
"We should avoid the generalization of the elderly as powerless, weak, dependent on help and point to the heterogeneity of this population, and therefore point to the significant contribution and important role that the elderly have in society. Younger generations should be educated about the aging process, promote intergenerational solidarity, continuously train the elderly in the use of modern technology, develop and implement various programs for the education of the elderly, education about rights, systematically provide adequate support to informal caregivers, design more cultural, entertainment and recreational events for the elderly at the level of all municipalities, improve the support system for the most socially vulnerable elderly persons, and special attention should be paid to the analysis of the needs of older people from rural areas", said the CKCG.
The General Secretary of the CKCG, Jelena Dubak, pointed out that older people are in an unequal position due to ignorance, prejudices and stereotypes that are still present in society, and the fact that the concept of discrimination, in all its forms, is not sufficiently known.
"The Red Cross of Montenegro has been implementing a support program for elderly fellow citizens for more than 20 years, and following the trends in the world, a series of innovative services tailored to the needs of the elderly have been created, provided by trained employees and volunteers," said Dubak.
The Deputy Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, Nerma Dobardžić, referred to the existing legal mechanisms for the protection of the rights of the elderly and the position they are in due to insufficient knowledge of the competences of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, as well as the mechanisms by which the rights of the elderly population are protected.
"The small number of complaints regarding the violation of the rights of the elderly addressed to the Protector of Rights and Freedoms does not show the true picture when it comes to the problem of discrimination they face. That is why it is necessary to talk about this problem in society, point out its presence and ways of effective response on him," said Dobardžić.
Director of the Center for Health Promotion at the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Agima Ljaljević, emphasized the importance of defining and adopting competent normative documents, ensuring their implementation, and initiating and encouraging the education of care providers, professionals in the field of providing health care and social services, the judiciary and of the police.
"That is why it is necessary to carry out needs assessments, regular monitoring, as well as to implement public prevention campaigns," said Ljaljević.
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