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

Psychological and social effects of migration
- Aesthetic elderly can be distinguished by their feeling of self-esteem,
the sense of a social prestige crash that leads to the fall in
value of feelings and lack of respect making them prone to depressive
reactions;
- Schizoid elderly can accumulate isolation tendencies, the refrain
from any contacts, preference for maintaining the stereotypes about
the house and it’s role, accompanied by indifference for the things
going on around them after their immediate needs are satisfied;
- Feelings of jealousy and anger caused by the degrees of his social
prestige that lead to the increase of his depressive and anxious state.
- Besides, it can be concluded that old people’s emotional disadvantage
has several explanations, such as:
- the fact that the financial situation of the elderly does not create a
“suitable” state;
- the fact that ageing is usually associated with disease, loneliness,
stigmatization, isolation;
- the problem of chronic income insufficiency which can lead to frustration
and indignation, considering the pension they have as a lack of
respect from the state for their work;
- real cases of “loneliness and separation neurosis” can appear that can
accelerate the stress of getting old.
At the same time, the situation of the institutionalized elderly is more secure
about satisfying fundamental needs (food, clothing, adequate temperature),
their need for protection (dwelling, security), the need to
communicate and to have relations (to be together with somebody). We
emphasize the existence of the institutionalized elderly who miss their
house, regret their situation and want to die at home. The presence of a
relative reduces the feeling of being an “abandoned” and “forgotten” person
and ensures the maintenance of the connection with the past experiences
and memories.
• Self-image and self-assessment
Psychological changes that the elderly undergo are the result of transformations
that occurred in their lives, based on internal factors such
as heredity and hormonal changes, and external factors such as retirement,
the decrease of biological potential its’ associated pathology and
a decrease in the number of family members as well as the decease of
some relatives or friends of close age. The normal functioning of the elderly
comprises the physical, moral and social balance. The most signifi-
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