1. VULNERABILITIES OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN POLAND. CHANGES OF THE NEEDS OF AN AGEING SOCIETY. Alina Potrykowska Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences 00-818 Warsaw, Twarda 51/55, Poland E-mail: a.potryk@twarda.pan.pl

2. Demographic change and ageing processes in Poland  Poland shows an ageing of the population as a result of the increased longevity accompanied by decreased fertility. of the increased longevity accompanied by decreased fertility.  Ageing process is significant and will be accelerating in the coming decades. in the coming decades.  Emergent consequences of that process, both social and economic evoke not only growing demand social and economic evoke not only growing demand for social and health cares,and education, but they for social and health cares,and education, but they also give older persons new position in family life and broader social structures. also give older persons new position in family life and broader social structures.

3. Evolution of population in Poland

4. Population structure by sex, Poland, 1950-2005 (1950=100)

5. Population evolution by urban-rural status, Poland, 1950-2005 (1950=100)

6. Special Survey „Polish Old Age”  Survey „ Polish Old Age” was realized by the Polish Society of Gerontology by the Polish Society of Gerontology in 2000. The survey has confirmed in 2000. The survey has confirmed that health, economic and social that health, economic and social positions of elderly people are positions of elderly people are differentiated according to division differentiated according to division into urban and rural areas. into urban and rural areas.

7. ELDERLY POPULATION IN POLAND, 2004 (NUTS 4, 3, 2)

9. Elderly population in Poland will almost have doubled in 2050 (from16.6% in 2000 to 35.6% in 2050) Elderly population in Poland will almost have doubled in 2050 (from16.6% in 2000 to 35.6% in 2050)

10. Old age dependency ratios and the inheritance index. Poland 2000-2050. (UN Projection, the most probable scenario) Year Population Population Old-age dependency Inheritance index aged 60+ aged 65+ ratio (%) (%) Value 2000=100 Value 2000=100 2000 16.6 12.1 17.6 100 36.8 100 2010 18.8 13.0 18.0 102 36.8 100 2020 24.8 17.6 26.0 148 40.3 110 2030 27.2 21.4 33.3 189 39.5 107 2040 31.3 23.3 37.3 212 49.2 134 2050 35.6 27.9 50.0 281 64.5 175 ________________________________________________________

11. Old and child dependency ratios,Poland, 1950-2005,

12. Implications of the demographic change The projected considerable increase in the percentage of old people will dramatically affect the demographic dependency ratio over the 50-year horizon. The threefold increase of this ratio is a significant indication that the future will see the problem of intergenerational equity. Implications of the demographic change The projected considerable increase in the percentage of old people will dramatically affect the demographic dependency ratio over the 50-year horizon. The threefold increase of this ratio is a significant indication that the future will see the problem of intergenerational equity.

13. Special Survey „Facing Old Age”  „ Facing Old Age” is a sub-project of the INTERREG III C Programme realized the INTERREG III C Programme realized between the partner regions – the Silesian between the partner regions – the Silesian Voivodship, the federal state North Rhine- Voivodship, the federal state North Rhine- Westphalia and Nord-Pas de Calais. Westphalia and Nord-Pas de Calais. The project was led by the Regional Centre The project was led by the Regional Centre of Social Policy of Silesian Voivodship and of Social Policy of Silesian Voivodship and its partners: in Germany – Arbeiterwohlfahrt its partners: in Germany – Arbeiterwohlfahrt Unterbezirk Dortmund; in France – Institut Unterbezirk Dortmund; in France – Institut Regional du Travail Social du Nord-Pas de Regional du Travail Social du Nord-Pas de Calais. Calais.

14. Conditions and needs of the ageing Polish society - a shortage of forms of care, both in terms of services provided in places of residence and in establishments like hospitals, senior’s houses and within palliative care, - the need for professionalism of social workers and their insufficient number considering current and future needs, - education is becoming an indispensable condition for intergenerational integration because the existent discrepancies between old and young people’s level of education often create a barrier that isolates seniors from their children and grandchildren

15. Recommendations of the Government Population Council in Poland - improving health protection and access to medical services as well as creating a system of support in organizing independent life of the elderly - ensuring conditions for maintaining economic independence of the elderly persons - creating a system which will favor adjustments of living conditions to senior’s financial possibilities and needs

16. - maintaining social activity of the elderly through lifelong education, health education and voluntary work - promoting positive attitudes towards old age and the elderly; acting towards inter- and intra- generational integration, - creating a system of preparation for old age in terms of economic well-being, health, education, and keeping active, - leading a coherent elderly-oriented old age policy