OBSERVATIONS REGARDING CARE OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN POLISH REALITY

Every day in media one can see many commercials, which present the effect of different medicine, mainly analgesic. The idea of people not suffering unnecessarily is great in its nature. But not many people know that pharmaceutical companies, which produce analgesics, are at the time being the most profitable companies, second in obtained profit after military industry. Success of modern pharmaceuticals industry has slightly unexpectedly caused prolongation of life in Europe for about 17 years in last forty years period of time. It is a very serious cause of worry for governments of many countries as well as insurance companies – as they are responsible to their electorate for providing decent level of life to elderly people. It is important to ask ourselves a question – do matters connected with elderly people bring only difficulties and inconvenience?

I propose to take a closer look at this growing in number group of people. As the rest of the society, they have many unfulfilled need, but they differ from others because they are not threatened by the ghost of unemployment and bankruptcy. In economical categories, they are the best clients, because they are absolutely solvent.

Nursing Homes in Western Europe are treated totally in a different way in comparison to those in Poland. Of course, it is connected with different level of payment, different social structure, but the most important is totally different system of functioning of insurance companies. Abroad, person after retirement usually has a very decent level of care for the elderly years. If the person belongs to middle class, it is not problematic for him or her to have decent level for the autumn of life. The difference is that in the countries we’re speaking about, person assures his/her status of living by himself/herself, whereas in Poland it is still an element of “governmental mercy”, arbitrariness, or dependence from someone else. Therefore in Poland we are dealing with search for access and arrangements, whereas in Western countries the dignity of people is build on the basis of their own actions. In Poland we speak about care at elderly age considering ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), when at the same time this institution as inheritor of socialism is not associated well in any terms.

But the changes are already seen.

At the times of real socialism social ethics didn’t approve the actions of those people, who would place their relatives in Nursing Homes. Nevertheless, it is forecasted to be changed very fast. The fact of obtaining passports by the citizens have caused big migration of young people, and those who remain will be overloaded with work without having enough time to take care of someone else. And one more, delicate matter. There is a saying – “Everyone wants to live long, but no one wants to be old”. This saying presents one more aspect of long life, which is the appearance of many illnesses connected with old age, such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s or Pick’s diseases. They are changing the personality of the people so much, that relatives are not recognizing in those people their dearest ones. Moreover, those diseases require much more specialist medical and nursing care than can be provided at home. It can be a reason that at some point placing elderly relatives in Nursing Home will become inevitable.

In new political and economical situation no one is surprised by the fact that there are more and more private high schools, colleges and hospitals built, despite the fact that there are already such institutions existing, but governmental. The forecast for newly build institutions is good, even in such a highly competitive environment. The situation with Nursing Homes is a little bit different. There are only a small number of the Nursing Homes, which comply with all the requirements of European Union, so in terms of economy it can be stated that there is no competition. So, there is a big, potential and solvent client, there is a field, where there is no competition – can you find any other problem?

It seems to be a little bit strange, but certain social stereotype can be noticed here. Polish investors often think that money made in production or sales are better than those obtained from other type of business. Maybe it is connected with the idea, that when it comes to public authorities, no money can be made. Therefore, I am personally delighted with the idea of investment in business, which earlier wasn’t popular for allocation of big capital.

From human point of view, elderly people have huge and unsatisfied need of being with somebody. Having lots of free time, they expect that others have it as well. About 30% of elderly people, when visiting a doctor, want to have simple human relationship, without expecting prescription and medicine. When one doesn’t offer them as much time as they need, they feel offended, guilty or try to make others feel that way. Often they can not fit to the new situation. After retirement many people do not stay in touch with many colleagues from former work-place, which causes a feeling very close to trauma. There are a number of people who feel more appreciated at work than in home, but often without realizing this. New society in Nursing Home is a new chance for many people of creating new relationships and meeting new people. Being old is often a challenge, which many people can’t face alone. They should be helped a little bit.

Krzysztof Szuster

psychologist working in Analgesic Clinic in 1996-2006