specific needs of children and elderly left behind as a ... - IOM Moldova

CHAPTER I
opinions in the discussions with other elderly from the Chisinau shelter:
“At home nobody took care of us as well as they do it here... We have all
the necessary conditions to live; there is not anything that we dislike here”
(FG_3_urban_asylum).
When advancing in age, the elderly need more help in order to take care
of themselves and to ensure adequate living conditions. Living in solitude,
diseases that occur in old age, the decrease of physical strength, lack of
aid and support from the family – are all factors that make many elderly
live their last phase of life in suffering and with a reduced quality of existence.
Placing these persons in specialized institutions where they are
offered proper living conditions, with proper sanitation and spaces, with
constant care from the staff, represents the best solution to help them to
live in decent conditions, which will positively influence the longevity and
quality of their life.
There are cases when children help to maintain the necessary living expenses
of their parents who remained in the country. However, many elderly
who lack their children’s support can hardly provide for their basic
living conditions. The health problems, lack of physical force, shortage of
money, problems with providing heat during winter, water supply, hygiene
maintenance, etc. negatively impact the quality of life and health state of
the elderly. If they provide independently for their living, the risk of injuries
and accidents is increased.
• The attitude towards their own health and behaviour of the elderly left
behind
A significant number of elderly left alone suffer from long-term depression.
This depression is caused by the separation from their children as
well as other losses that are frequent during old age (death of relatives,
friends, etc.). During old age, depression occurs in short episodes of
sadness.
Melancholy or a sudden loss of power can develop into a serious and prolonged
depressive condition. Its characteristics include continuous pain,
lack of interest, hopelessness, reduced self-esteem, and a distorted assessment
of present and future. Some depressed elderly often face difficulties
in taking decisions and become slower in the thinking process, the way
of speaking and moving. All these events have an impact on the general
health of the elderly.
Psychiatric symptoms of depression include loss of appetite and weight,
severe fatigue, lack of sleep, constipation or diarrhoea. This tension and
anxiety increase may contribute to the development of agitation. Severe
depression is often accompanied by feelings of worthlessness and
suicidal thoughts. This is described in detail by the experts in the elderly
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