Estonian Human Development Report
Estonian Human Development Report - Eesti Koostöö Kogu
Estonian Human Development Report - Eesti Koostöö Kogu
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ents were satisfied or very satisfied with the personal qualities,<br />
attitudes and work ethic of the care providers. Nearly<br />
a tenth of the respondents complained, however, that the<br />
care worker had too little time and that they could not plan<br />
their own day. Dissatisfaction rates are high with regard to<br />
assistance related to several daily activities – a third of the<br />
respondents would like to have more help in caring for their<br />
teeth and mouth, moving around in their home and outside,<br />
putting on their clothes, eating and doing housework. Assistance<br />
related to participation in recreation activities is the<br />
cause of the most dissatisfaction, with half of the respondents<br />
who needed such assistance being dissatisfied with it.<br />
In planning and carrying out the provision of care, it is<br />
important to take into account the expectations and subjective<br />
needs of persons receiving the care in addition to<br />
the need to assist them with daily activities. Implementing<br />
the medical care model, currently still widespread in Estonia,<br />
leaves many opportunities for improving the patients’<br />
quality of life unused. Putting into practice a socio-cultural<br />
model of care that takes into account the individual<br />
features, life story and preferences of every patient may<br />
improve even the quality of life of people whose health and<br />
ability to cope are beyond improvement.<br />
In conclusion, the quality of life of the elderly is lower<br />
in Estonia compared to other EU countries. The most significant<br />
factors that lower quality of life include the bad<br />
health of the elderly and the inadequate accessibility of<br />
support services. Meanwhile, the implementation of the<br />
model of aging while remaining active and successful<br />
has been relatively effective in Estonia. Many people who<br />
have reached retirement age but are well and able to cope<br />
continue working and can participate in suitable recreational<br />
activities if they wish. The lack of material means<br />
may limit participation to some extent, but is not the main<br />
reason for the low rate of participation in events among<br />
the elderly. Nearly half of the older population are cut off<br />
from social life due to health problems. Elderly people who<br />
require care and live at home are in the worst situation.<br />
Reserves that can be used to improve the quality of life of<br />
the elderly consist of the enhancement of the availability<br />
and quality of both health care and nursing care services.<br />
Looking into the future, the most successful strategy for<br />
improving the quality of life of the elderly would be the<br />
improvement of the general state of health of the population,<br />
which would allow people to retain their self sufficiency<br />
into an advanced age. This should be combined<br />
References<br />
1. Ainsaar M., Kutsar, D., Harro M. (eds) (2005) Euroopa Sotsiaaluuringu<br />
2004 Eesti raport. [European Social Survey 2004: the <strong>Estonian</strong><br />
<strong>Report</strong>] Tallinn: National Institute for Health <strong>Development</strong>.<br />
2. Baltes, P. B., Baltes, M. M. (1990). Successful aging: Perspectives<br />
from behavioral sciences. New York: Cambridge University Press.<br />
3. Bowling A., Gabriel Z. (2007) Lay theories of quality of life in<br />
older age. Aging & Society, 27: 827–848.<br />
4. Health status indicators from the EU-SILC survey. http://epp.<br />
eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1073,60136085&_<br />
dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&p_product_code=HLTH_<br />
STATUS_SILC_BASE. 23.10.2008<br />
5. National Health Interview Surveys 2004. http://epp.eurostat.<br />
ec.europa.eu/extraction/retrieve/en/theme3/hlth/hlth_1s_<br />
spa?Output. 10.09.2008.<br />
Figure 3.6.3. Subjective quality of life of the elderly<br />
living in care institutions in five European countries<br />
90<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
Finland Sweden ESTONIA United<br />
Kingdom<br />
Source: CareKeys 2003–2006 (Saks & Tiit 2008).<br />
Germany<br />
Psychological Physical Social Environmental<br />
Figure 3.6.4. Subjective quality of life of the elderly<br />
receiving care/nursing services at home in five European<br />
countries<br />
90<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
Finland Sweden ESTONIA United<br />
Kingdom<br />
Source: CareKeys 2003–2006 (Saks & Tiit 2008).<br />
Germany<br />
Psychological Physical Social Environmental<br />
with a reduction in age-based social alienation in all areas<br />
of life. In the near future, however, the key factor will be<br />
the improvement of the care provided to the elderly, which<br />
will also improve the quality of life of people belonging to<br />
the middle-aged and younger generation as they are currently<br />
bearing the great burden related to providing care<br />
for many ailing elderly people.<br />
6. Pieper, R., Vaarama, M. The concept of care-related quality of life. (2008)<br />
(eds) M. Vaarama, R. Pieper, A. Sixsmith., Care related quality of life in old<br />
age. Concepts, models, and empirical findings. New York: Springer: 65–101.<br />
7. Saks, K., Allev, R., Soots, A., Kõiv, K., Kolk, H., Paju, I., Jaanson, K.,<br />
Schneider, G. (2001). Eakate tervishoid ja hoolekanne Eestis. [Health<br />
Care and Welfare Services of the Elderly], Tartu: Tartumaa Trükikoda.<br />
8. Saks, K. (ed.) (2006) Hooldusest sõltuv elukvaliteet, hoolduse<br />
kvaliteet ja hoolduse juhtimise kvaliteet. [Quality of Life<br />
Dependent on Care, the Quality of Care and the Quality of Care<br />
Management], Tartu: Tartu University Press.<br />
9. Saks, K., Leibur, J. (2008). Hooldusravi audit 2006-2007. [Care<br />
Audit 2006-2007], Lege Artis, 7: 19–21.<br />
10. Saks, K., Tiit, E-M. 2008 Subjective quality of life of care-dependent<br />
older people in five European Union countries (eds) M. Vaarama, R.<br />
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