Abstract:

At the present stage, the problems of social work with the elderly are at the center of attention of many social institutions, which direct their activities to scientific substantiation and development of strategies to ensure a sufficient standard of living for this age group. The article reveals the socio-psychological characteristics of the elderly, namely the feeling of loneliness, the value of social understanding of which is to emphasize the importance of this phenomenon for a person as a member of society. The danger of understanding loneliness only as an individual phenomenon lies in the fact that many dynamic factors directly related to the essence of loneliness as a social phenomenon are not taken into account. On the other hand, excessive attention to social manifestations of loneliness without taking heed of its significance for the inner world of a person can lead to misunderstanding of the individual functions of loneliness.

The modern tendencies in application of principles, forms and methods of social work with elderly people are determined. In determining the types of social work with the elderly, it becomes evident that social work with this age group is not always effective and sufficient due to the lack of well-grounded service strategies and the limitation of socio-economic opportunities of the state to provide sufficient resources for this area of activity.

The features of the experience of loneliness of the elderly are empirically investigated. The system of social and psychological support as a targeted activity of a specialist in the social sphere (or interprofessional interaction of specialists in the social sphere) has been developed and tested for creating the necessary conditions for the optimal functioning of the elderly.

The system of socio-psychological support of the elderly developed by us includes the following types of work: information (aimed at informing social workers about the prevention of loneliness in elderly people); preventive (aimed at building confidence in their own social suitability and restoring the behavioral activity of the elderly); diagnostic (aimed at studying the individual characteristics of the personality of the elderly and their relationship with close relatives (children, grandchildren) from the point of view of the elderly); consultative (aimed at increasing the psychological culture of the elderly, relatives, and social workers); correctional (aimed at overcoming the occurrence of loneliness and elimination of deviations in the functioning of the emotional sphere); rehabilitation; work with relatives.

It is important to explain to the relatives of the elderly that social support allows the elderly to feel competent. It is necessary to convey the positive feelings to the elderly, so that they feel that they are cared for, appreciated, and respected. It is an important factor contributing to adaptation at a later age).

An essential characteristic of social and psychological support is the creation of conditions for the transition of personality and (or) family to self-assistance. One of the areas of work with elderly people is the creation and implementation of social projects. The social significance of this problem in modern socio-psychological science has led to the creation of a social project "Art of Aging", which was implemented during 2016-2018.

Keywords:

Elderly people, loneliness, inner loneliness, external loneliness, intimate loneliness, social assistance, psychological help, principles and methods of social work, support, system of social and psychological support, rehabilitation.