Senior Citizen Line: prepare for life until 90
The Czech Republic is getting older. Sixty thousand people retire every year. The fastest growing number of seniors is in the 80+ age category. Increasingly, families are struggling with how to care for their ageing relatives. How to make such a situation easier for themselves and their families? Think about care early.
Twenty years. Approximately this is the length of time that older people with some form of health limitation will live, to which housing and provision for other needs must be adapted."When changes come gradually, it is possible to prepare. The main challenge is to admit that you can no longer look after yourself and to be willing to accept the changes that result. The first people who usually offer help to seniors, or to whom it is good to ask for help, are close family or friends," says psychologist Kateřina Bohatá, head of the crisis telephone line for seniors 800 200 007.
Life expectancy is increasing across Europe, ageing is dramatically changing Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, there will be 300,000 more seniors by 2030, and almost a million by 2050. That will be a full third of society. But living to old age does not automatically mean living to a healthy old age. So what to do and how to prepare for when health does not serve you well?
The group at risk: octogenarians
According to Rich, calls to the Senior Line are increasing from octogenarians who are urgently addressing the topic of care. Like the lady who was left alone after her husband died. She feels that she is expected to go into a nursing home because some of her friends already live there. But she doesn't feel up to it herself, she's fine at home, she has animals she doesn't want to leave behind. In the call, the line worker offers her care services - she can have lunches brought to her so she can have one hot meal a day and use help with hygiene. The caller is happy. The interviewer passes on contacts, explains where to go for social services and where to get financial support.
"People who need daily help, supervision or care from another person are entitled to a so-called care allowance, which they can apply for at the Job Centre. This has several levels, ranging from CZK 880 to CZK 19 200 per month. Beneficiaries can use the allowance to pay for certain social services, for example. It is up to them to decide what to do with the allowance," Bohatá said.
Dealing with care in time
Experts agree that it is a good idea to address the issue of care for elderly relatives in a timely manner, when everything can be planned together and there is no need to look for crisis solutions when it is too late and care cannot be managed. But it is also important to know how to start the conversation about home or institutional care at home so that it is safe, respectful and natural. "We need to be honest with ourselves and admit that we can no longer manage care. And even if it's difficult, to tell the relative honestly and seek a joint solution with them," advises psychologist Klara Gramppová.
Basically, the social services available in the Czech Republic can be divided into so-called field services, which come to the client's home, outpatient services, where the client can visit regularly, and residential services, where, as the name suggests, the client will stay. In order to decide which service to use, it is extremely important to think carefully about what is important to me in my life, what are the things I enjoy that I do not want to or cannot give up, and what social services could help me with. "It's not good to be alone in making these decisions. It is possible to discuss it with someone close to you, and if that is not possible, it is also possible to contact one of the crisis lines for the elderly," adds Kateřina Bohatá, adding that, for example, the anonymous and free Senior Citizens' Line is available to callers on 800 200 007 daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
The Senior Citizens Line 800 200 007 is an anonymous crisis helpline for the elderly. Thanks to the support of the O2 Foundation, calls to the line are free of charge.
Media contact
Iveta Čížová ~ PR ~ iveta.cizova@elpida.cz ~ +420 773 480 505
Kateřina Bohatá ~ Head of the Senior Citizens Line ~ katerina.bohata@elpida.cz ~ +420 773 480 505
Elpida is a non-profit organization that has been supporting seniors in active life since 2002. It operates 2 educational centres in Prague, a nationwide free telephone Senior Citizens Line 800 200 007, publishes the magazine VITAL, has a ladies choir Elpida and is behind the project Socks from Grandma. Elpida is a pioneer in media education for seniors and a leader in training for workers with seniors in the SEFTE training academy. It is currently developing a unique e-learning platform that will allow seniors across the country better access to education and culture.