Research

The 20th century has been a turning point in the history of mankind as far as the change that occurred in the age structure of the world population, and the elderly population increased dramatically especially as of the second half of 20th century. This worldwide increase in the elderly population occurred as a result of the considerable decreases observed in the birth rates in many parts of the world, increasing of the average life span thanks to the developments realized in nourishment and basic healthcare services, and the regression of infant and child mortality rates to controllable levels. Life expectance at birth, especially in Europe, has recorded an increase of 20 years in the first half of the century, and this increase is expected to increase by 10 more years until 2050. Ageing of the population:
•    is one of the most important demographic facts that came to the foreground in the 21st century. In the whole world, people live longer, birth rates decrease and consequently the elderly population increases both numerically and pro rata;
•    affects all facets of the society to include health, social security, environment related issues, education, business opportunities, socio-cultural activities and family life;
•    signifies a decrease in the percentage of the children and youngsters in that population and a relative increase in the percentage of aged persons (65 or more years of age).
Ageing or growing old of people is a physiological process. This process which is biologically inevitable has healthrelated, social, cultural and economic dimensions. In the whole world, the population with 65 and more years of age as of 2004 is approximately 448 million. While currently the total world population of people with 65 or more years of age represents 10 per cent of the overall population, it is expected for this percentage to exceed 16 per cent by 2050.

The problems about elderly care and the people giving nursing care have arisen along with the gradually increasing elderly population in the world. With the increase in dependency level, elderly care is being considered as a hard, extensive and expensive service. In addition to the obligation of caring for the elderly and undertaking a lot of responsibility at home, the informal care givers may have some physical, mental, social and economical disruptions (fatigue, exhaustion, loneliness, corrosion in the family relations, fail to afford the care, etc.) which are defined as “care load” or “care stress”.

Research on burden of informal and also formal caregivers - nurses is one of the first steps in NMCE Project. Analysis of Needs is the core activity for all partners, which is orientated on the list of data collection tools with respect to nurses in EU countries, the problems of home care for the elderly and  the burden of the informal care givers.

The final report of Analysis of Needs (WP2) consists of four part, prepared by Partners from Germany, Italy, Poland and Turkey and includes:
-    demographic situation in each of the partner countries; the most recent data is provided by official statistical institutions (national, regional, local level) and also by voluntary associations or universities,
-    the situation of the elderly in partners’ country, also migrants,
-    health care services for elderly, existing other services,
-    information of people and institutions providing care for the elderly; formal and non formal caregivers,
-    qualification system - formal and informal education for nurses and informal caregivers
-    information of institutions providing trainings for formal –nurses and informal caregivers; examples of programmes of training for nurses / informal caregivers
-    perceived problems concerning ageing by elderly people themselves; life style, environment, health education,
-    needs of elderly people,
-    the relations between informal care-givers and nurses,
-    the burden of informal care givers,
-    urgent relevant publications - books, articles, guides,
-    useful links.
Partners from Turkey and Poland prepared their own researches, adequate related on health care and caregivers needs of elderly and training needs for formal and informal carers.

All gathered tools are the important platform for effective preparation the training for formal and informal care givers. It seems that this training should concern not only practical aspects related to health, maintenance of independence, psychological aspects concerning the burden of work by the caregiver, but, last not least, the training to a positive relationship with the elderly person.

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