The problem of old age in the context of family caring responsibilities

Recent years show that demographic changes are leading to lengthening of life expectancy, to the extension of old age and consequently to a growing number of elderly people. Research indicates that by the mid-twenty-first century the number of elderly people will increase to 370 million. The constantly growing number of older people means that care of this group of patients acquires a new meaning, especially because most of them will wish to remain under the care of the family. This fact entails the need to involve family members to assist in the care of an elderly person in the home and beyond. Family potential understood as the ability to care for the old and sick has systematically decreased in recent years in Poland. The tendency of Poles to travel abroad for work purposes, especially for women, is one of the highest in the OECD. Migration of family members means that support for an older person may take various forms. Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States recognized that the scope of proper care must include the involvement of all stakeholders in compliance with the Bill of Rights and Duties of a nursing home boarder and the Standards and Elderly Care regulations issued by the Australian Government. In the Polish Act on social assistance in 2004, there is no clearly defined notation associated with the provision of care because of old age and loneliness. Controversial is the fact that the Chinese authorities have decided to punish family members for not visiting old people.