Image of elderly and old people in the minds of social workers

About the author:

Vera V. Lemish,

Abstract:

The paper considers assumptions about elder generation as an important part of gerontology culture, because the content of those assumptions has a big impact on intergenerational and interpersonal relationships including professional activity. This research managed to involve 195 social workers who are servicing seniors and people with disabilities in different social organizations. In order to portray the images of elderly and old persons, we used 25 psycho-semantic scales characterizing five psychological dimensions: cognitive, emotional, regulatory, communicative and moral-spiritual. The scales were developed by the author of the paper based on the method of Kelly Repertory Grid. The results of the empirical research showed that a professional experience enables the social workers to differentiate between peculiarities of elderly and old people well enough. On the other hand, both age groups are perceived with ageism tendencies. Despite the fact that the image of an elderly person possesses more positive features than that of senile, both images in overall are not fully attractive. Negative attitudes, therefore, have a problematic impact on effectiveness of social services for elderly population and psychological well-being of these people. In order to overcome the attitude of ageism, social workers need more profound psychological training directed to developing cognitions and perceptions regarding ageing as a period of continuing personality development. Besides, it is desirable to build a directed state social program regarding conditions for realising psychological potential of senior population.

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