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Senų žmonių globos namų gyventojų poreikių tenkinimo optimizavimas
Simėnas, Renaldas |
The social security system of Lithuania is still undergoing reform. However, financially strengthening municipalities and informal social services providers have succeeded in gradually taking over this function from the state. It is the Social services law passed in 1996 and the Social services catalogue approved in 2000 that broadly regulate social services providers in Lithuania so far. As of July, 2006 the new Social services law will come into force as well as an updated Social services catalogue will be released. The implementation of these regulations has been a challenge to the managers of stationery homes for elderly people, because the new rules require to start licencing of these institutions. The municipalities are also to begin outsourcing social services through public bidding. OBJECT: needs of the residents of homes for elderly people. RESEARCH FOCUS: to analyse the possibilities of improving ways to meet the needs of the residents of homes for elderly people. OBJECTIVES: 1. to outline the importance of social services to old and elderly residents of the homes. 2. to discuss the needs and physiological changes of old and elderly people. 3. to analyse the laws and regulations that govern social services providers to elderly people. 4. to execute an opinion poll of old and eldery residents of homes for elderly people; to learn how they evaluate the provided socials services. RESEARCH TOOLS: analysis of scientific literature; analysis of documentation; opinion polls executed in the written and oral form. The number of lonely and elderly people unable to take care of themselves is rising as well as is increasing the demand to open new homes for elderly people or provide more and quality services to such people living at their residences. The author of this paper has executed 10 quantitative surveys of residents of homes for elderly people (200 respondents all in all participated in the poll). The survey drew to the conclusion that the residents have different needs, such as a need to engage in the activity he or she likes the most, to feel welcome and important members of the community, to get proper health care services, social services, etc. Managers of the homes for elderly people consider that the needs of the residents of their institutions would be served better if the pay level to the qualified staff was increased. Equal opportunities to the personnel to improve their professional skills as well as the decreased number of vacancies available in the homes for elderly people could also help to achieve the desired result.