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

The integrity of migrant families
ber how it was when they were together, I was too little” (III_C_9). In this
context, the family loses its basic role in the society.
In conclusion, it should be mentioned that labour migration produces
specific changes within generational interconnections. These changes and
their effects on future generations should be taken into account. The intensification
of migration processes is felt within families, and its structure is
ever changing: reduced number of persons, family members living separately,
elderly – or other persons taking care of children – taking the role
of parents, etc. The need to adapt to the modern requirements affects the
internal changes of the family and external behaviours.
• The lack of care
The care given to the elderly determines their health, happiness and longevity.
The environment and family support constitute the most important
factors in caring for the elderly.
The aspect of quality care provided to institutionalized elderly can be approached
from the perspective of care services rendered within the institution.
The fact that the elderly were institutionalized is conditioned by a
total lack of care and abandonment from their children/grandchildren:
“I sold my house... I gave the money to my son and he died and I have no son
and no house now… my granddaughter doesn’t care” (FG_E_4_rural_asylum).
In other cases the presence of the elderly in a shelter is determined by
a respectful and responsible attitude the children/grandchildren have
for the fate of the grandparent: “My girls talked to her, I was staying in the
hospital with my leg issue (her leg was amputated)... lady Vera (the director
of the shelter) came by car and I talked to her. She told me to ask the doctors
to call her when they would be ready to let me out and she would take me to
the shelter. The girls… will pay the fee. If I’d go home there would be no one,
the house is empty and after this surgery I’d need to bring water from the well,
to cook, and there is no way for me to do that” (FG_E_4_rural_asylum).
The situation varies at the level of care provided to elderly within the
residential institution. Partly, as the study highlights, this is being generated
not by the residential environment (urban, rural) or available financial
sources but by the human factor that is involved in the care process.
Thus, elderly living in a shelter are pleased with the care they receive
and the environment: “We feel good in here because I don’t have to wash
or cook but if I were at home there would have been more responsibilities,
I’m being taken care of” (FG_E_4_rural_asylum), while the ones from
another shelter talk about negligence, insults, harassment: “They lie and
want money. They come and ask (one of the staff) to give them 10-20 lei
and then they’re just gone. They lie concerning the phone and everything...”
(FG_E_3_urban_asylum).
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