Socialinių paslaugų asmens namuose atvejų analizė ; The case study of home help services

Abstract

Home help services are integral part of the system of social services in the aging society. The aim of the study was to analyze the nature (content) and timescale of home help services for the elderly looking at service provider and service receiver levels. The object of the study was content and timescale of home help services. To achieve the aim were formulated four objectives: to disclose theoretical, legislative and organizational aspects of home help services for the elderly; to disclose the content of home help services at the agency level; to disclose content of services at receiver level; to disclose timescale of home help services at agency level; and to disclose timescale of home help services at services receivers' level. To achieve the goal was conducted qualitative research. The case study strategy was used. The case consisted from formal case records about services receivers at the agency, interviews with services provider's and receivers. Ten services receivers and four providers participated in the study. Data were collected in August and September. The place of the study – agency which provides home help services in the rural area. Theme analysis was used to analyze text. Similarities and differences between cases were analyzed. The study disclosed that both: services providers and receivers emphasize the same aspects for content and timescale of home help services. The structure of family, age, health status and earlier life experience influences the content of home help services. Loneliness, the needs to continue previous activities, living conditions and financial possibilities are other aspects which do influence to the content of services. The timescale is defined formally and is the same for all services receivers. Services receivers and providers emphasize tensions which are made because mismatch of real needs of home help services and time committed to provide services. Well-wishing provision of services by providers and financial possibilities of services receivers becomes important aspect which defines the timescale of home help services for the elderly living in rural area.