Why Russia doesn't need working pensioners. Problems of older people and ways to solve them Social and economic problems of pensioners

State educational institution

Higher professional education

Khakass State University named after. N.F. Katanova

Center for Socio-Political and Humanitarian Education

Department of Philosophy and Sociology

Abstract

In the discipline General Sociology

PROBLEMS OF PENSIONERS

Completed:

Group S-21

Specialty "Sociology"

Repilenko E.V.

Checked:

Zelenetskaya T.I.

Abakan 2010

Introduction

1. Image of older people

1.1 Types of old age and social time of pensioners

1.2 Position of older people in society

2. Difficulties of the elderly

2.1 Poverty and health

2.2 Relationships with family

2.3 Work ability

Conclusion

References List

Introduction

Having stopped working, an elderly person is faced with a new attitude towards him from his usual circle of people, for example, children, friends or former work colleagues. Retirement is an important event not only for specific person, but also for those around him.

The topic of studying pensioners is certainly relevant, because now pensioners act as a large socio-demographic group, and therefore there is a need to study them.

The problem with the research, in my opinion, is that perhaps we ourselves create the conditions under which pensioners experience some difficulties.

The object of our research is pensioners as a social group.

The subject of the study is the lifestyle of retirees.

The purpose of the study is to identify the problems that a person faces upon reaching retirement age.

Research objectives:

1. Find out what retirement age is.

2. Define key concepts and define types of old age.

3. Find out how people imagine the lifestyle of retirees.

4. Analyze the results of sociological research, on the basis of which to determine the difficulties of pensioners.

Key concepts: Social time, Social well-being, Professional destruction, Emotional burnout.

1. Image of older people

1.1 Types of old age and social time of pensioners

First, you need to answer the question: what age group are pensioners? In recent decades, it has been proposed various options age classification for the late period of human life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, ages 60 to 74 years are considered old; 75 years and older – old people; those aged 90 years and older are long-livers. The report of the WHO expert committee refers to a UN decision from 1980, which recommends that age 60 years be considered as the threshold for transition to the elderly group.

However, there is no single point of view on the issue of the characteristics and boundaries of the “elderly”. Polish demographer E. Rosset considers demographic age to be the main sign of population aging.

This indicator reflects the percentage of people of calendar (chronological) age in relation to the total population.

The beginning of demographic old age is taken to be the moment when the population of people “60 years and older” reaches 12% of the total population. In other words, a population in which the proportion of persons of this age has reached 12% is old in the demographic sense.

After determining the age of pensioners, you can directly begin to study them. In the life of retirees, in my opinion, one of the main parameters that influences their well-being is “social time.” It can be assumed that in this context, social time is introduced to study in more detail certain stages in the lives of pensioners.

Social time is the pace and rhythm of events during a certain period of existence of an individual, group or society.

Social time is an important differentiating factor in life styles. According to sociologists, the most successful way to study the experience of time is to analyze biography. In this context, we can distinguish 3 stages of social time: understanding the life lived, attitude towards the present, thoughts about the future.

The assessment of the life lived depends on a number of factors: the relationship between the goals that a person set for himself in his youth and the degree of their implementation, as well as the socio-psychological type of personality. Also, it should be noted that values influence well-being. The author gives an example: “For some (especially women), loneliness in old age is almost a blessing; for others, the absence of a family and children means one’s own inferiority and gives rise to the confidence that life has not worked out.” It can be noted that the assessment of the life lived is viewed through the “today’s situation.” According to the study, it was highlighted that the reasons for “uselessly lived years” are: an unsuccessful marriage and incurable diseases.

In studying the attitude of pensioners to their present, it was highlighted that with age, the mood of pessimism increases. Basically, this is caused, in my opinion, by unfulfilled hopes. For example, under Soviet rule, people counted on state help in their old age. Some Russians (especially older ones) still have such expectations. And now, when the pension barely reaches living wage, many pensioners have lost faith in the state.

As for thoughts about the future, less than a quarter of pensioners are confident that their lives will soon get better. According to survey data, the vast majority of older people think about death.

From this study it is clear that, basically, the reasons for “failed lives” are a failed marriage (career) and serious illnesses.

According to estimates of life lived, scientists distinguish 2 types of old age: Prosperous and unfavorable, each of which is divided into subtypes. Prosperous age corresponds to 4 types: Active-creative old age (pensioners lead healthy image life, continue to work, participate in public life), Comfortable old age (Energy is directed towards oneself: rest, playing sports, organizing one’s own leisure time), the third type is when all the efforts of a pensioner are devoted to supporting his family, and the fourth type is directing attention to one’s own health (diet, medications, exercise, etc.). d.). The variant of dysfunctional old age includes 2 types: Aggressive old people (they make claims to others, opposing themselves to all people) and a type that is characterized as “Self-criticism” (this is a type of old people who blame only themselves for all their failures. In such people, usually low self-esteem).

Scientists say that the life of every person is influenced by his own self-esteem. If she was tall in her youth, then she remains tall in old age.

From the above, we can conclude that a large proportion of the causes of “failed lives” fall on: the consequences of war, unsuccessful marriage, loss of children, unsuccessful career, serious and incurable illnesses in adulthood.

It can also be noted that the modern lifestyle of a significant part of our pensioners is characterized by pessimistic moods. Less than half of respondents think about death. The reasons are similar to those that determine the proportion of “failed lives” of pensioners.

1.2 Position of older people in society

Many people tend to think that the elderly are, first of all, disadvantaged people in need of adequate social security. Another opinion, shared by older people themselves, is that this population group represents significant human potential, which can and should be involved in the socially active life of society. It is not customary to talk about the third position in society, but still such a point of view exists - “The elderly are the social ballast of society, slowing down reforms.”

In November 2001, the Committee social protection of the population of the city of Yugorsk, a study was conducted, the purpose of which was to clarify opinions about the role of older people in society, to assess the adequacy of modern social policy in relation to this category.

As the results of the study showed, the view of older people as a burden to society is unacceptable for 23 respondents, although it is alarming that about 20% found it difficult to answer.

Other points of view are divided in society. About 78% believe that the elderly are, first of all, disadvantaged people in need of social security, and more than 60% regard the elderly as having significant human potential. This inconsistency persists in all groups of respondents, although the significance of the point of view of one or another category of the population still differs in such parameters as age and education. The combination of these parameters provides an analysis of variations in opinions depending on the profession, occupation, and field of activity. Thus, the maximum number of people who agree with the opinion that the elderly represent significant human potential were among representatives of the humanitarian and creative intelligentsia, civil servants and engineers of enterprises and construction sites. However, as in previous cases, the overwhelming number of respondents, regardless of profession and field of activity, considered pensioners to be disadvantaged and socially unprotected people.

Differences of opinion related to the income of respondents are quite stable. The middle income group tends to view the elderly as having significant potential.

Residents of megacities and rural settlements are quite skeptical about the elderly as having significant human potential and least of all see them as disadvantaged people.

You can also compare the image of the elderly in Russia and the elderly in other developed countries. According to the survey data, we can conclude that the human potential of older people in Russia is quite high, at least comparable to developed countries (excluding health conditions), but the degree of its implementation, both socially and privacy, significantly lower.

With age, negativity increases in relation to the comparative characteristics of the state of health, standard of living, and implementation in the social and private spheres.

In accordance with the fact that the majority of respondents did not support the view of the elderly as social ballast, the other two strategies, in accordance with the contradictory image of the elderly, received a high degree of support. From this we can conclude that the population is quite optimistic about older people. The only thing that makes you think is the fairly high proportion of difficulties in the answers. This suggests that perhaps, in the opinion of many people, pensioners are social ballast.

Scientists have identified an approach to the study of pensioners as a socio-demographic group, the essence of which determines the needs and value orientations of pensioners. It was also highlighted that pensioners as a socio-demographic group are quite heterogeneous. Also, this approach, in a sense, determines the structure of this group due to the need to identify values and needs.

Currently, a new approach is being developed, which will be based on the fact that there is a close connection between lifestyle and the needs of retirees.

From the above it follows that most of the respondents do not turn a blind eye to the life of pensioners. They see great human potential in them. The specificity of the new approach lies in the description of the structure of the social stratum of the elderly in terms of lifestyle, which forms the basis for the subsequent analysis of the needs, value orientations and social norms characteristic of various groups of old people.

2. Difficulties of the elderly

2.1 Poverty and Health

As far as everyone knows, today the pension size of some pensioners barely reaches the subsistence level. The financial situation of pensioners is a constantly discussed topic in the media and at the government level. In this context, financial status means sufficiency of monetary income, in-kind income from personal farming, and assistance from relatives.

As far as I know, everyone who works contributes a percentage of their income to Pension fund. However, Russia, in this regard, has its own characteristics. Employers usually hide the real amount of payments in order to evade taxes - accordingly, contributions to these funds are reduced. Thus, the incomes of pensioners differ more and more sharply from the incomes of other citizens. According to statistics, in 2000 the average monthly pension was 31.2% of the average accrued salary, while in 2005 it was only 27.6%. Following this logic, in 2010 the pension could be much higher.

Pensioners have an assumption that in the near future their lives will become much worse. This despondency is explained by the fact that pensioners look at life realistically. After all, pensions themselves are much lower than salaries, and their indexation does not keep pace with rising prices.

With age, social and everyday problems worsen. As the results of the study showed, 85% of pensioners face such problems. Among them are home repairs and utility bills. As for me, I myself am indignant at the resolution of this issue. After all, every family experiences difficulties with home repairs, and for pensioners, in my opinion, this problem takes on special significance, since most older people live in dilapidated housing, in private houses that have never been renovated. The study also showed that for the majority of pensioners who live in multi-entrance houses served by utility companies, life becomes more difficult every year due to the increase in the cost of utilities. And for those who live in private houses, managing the household becomes more and more difficult with age. Only 10% cope with this themselves. The rest are helped by the Social Welfare Committee, children, and relatives. Some pensioners noted that only their garden saves them.

Health status is another negative side people retirement age. It is health, according to the survey results, that adds a lot of dull colors to the picture of the world of pensioners (32.5%). The majority of respondents (30%) have a satisfactory health status, while 22.5% have a poor health status. It is important to note that your sample did not include pensioners who rated their health as very good or very bad.

In addition to factors of poor ecology, deteriorating food quality, and hard work, health is affected by such factors as marital status and ability to work. As the study showed, married pensioners' health status is significantly different from that of single elderly people. 46.1% of married people and 20.7 “singles” consider it good or satisfactory. Having children also affects your health. The conclusion here is obvious: childless pensioners constantly need help, while pensioners who have children need it to a lesser extent.

Another problem that pensioners consider urgent is the problem of medical care. Its complexity and relevance are determined both by the state of our medicine and by the natural aging of the body and its accompanying diseases. Almost 60% of respondents noted that in their youth they were negligent about their health, but life has changed their views and as a result, only a quarter continues to be negligent about their health, the rest take preventive measures or monitor their health constantly. Mostly (60%) people of the third age are satisfied with the quality of medical care. Dissatisfaction stems from the introduction of fees for honey. service. From this we can conclude that the majority of pensioners are not prosperous in social and living terms. Over time, increasingly lower medical activity among older people is being determined.

2.2 Relationships with family

Help means a lot to an elderly person. Apparently, through her the need to feel needed and useful to their children is realized: the elderly person strives to provide them with support “as long as his legs can hold him up.” Moreover, the range of types of assistance for pensioners is quite wide: from financial assistance to help with housework. And this also requires significant effort. A pattern has been revealed according to which female pensioners help their grandchildren much more often than male pensioners. Living alone makes it difficult to get help. Pensioners who receive assistance feel much better in terms of health and financial security. Sociologists have also noted the connection between assistance and education. Hence, it was revealed that pensioners with higher education help their relatives with money and deny assistance by “force.”

Scientists distinguish three groups according to the nature of the exchange of assistance:

1. Those providing and receiving assistance

2. Pure donors (give, but do not receive)

3. Pure recipients (receive, but do not provide)

The largest group are those who receive help and provide help at the same time.

Conclusion: The study showed that the current older generation of Russia helps their relatives in everything they can. Be it financial help or help with housekeeping.

2.3 Work ability

In general, pensioners for the most part find themselves “needed” in the public sector of the economy (education, science, culture, healthcare, social security). Salaries here are low, which means that young people won’t go to work for such bodies and guest workers won’t be able to cope. As in previous times, employers are reluctant to hire those who have a short time left before retirement. These people agree to “lower their status” and go to work in less prestigious positions.

As sociologists have found, pensioners are very afraid of losing their jobs, because... They cannot stand competition with young people, and the state has withdrawn from caring for them in this case.

The main reason why pensioners go to work after reaching this age is lack of money. As sociologists have found out, it is those who live “with young people” who most often try to find at least some extra income. In addition, the opportunity to receive any benefits at the expense of an enterprise or company is very important for such people. Moral incentives play a very important role in this. Working pensioners feel in demand and needed. Working pensioners are very beneficial for the country. Not only do they not ask the state, but earn it themselves, but they also earn their pension by making contributions to the Pension Fund. Using the potential of older people is a definite basis for further development, since as a result, society has additional resources, and older people have the opportunity for self-realization.

It was noted that the health status of working pensioners is slightly better than that of the unemployed.

But retirees also have a number of problems at work, which will be discussed further.

For example, in modern educational practices, as in other areas of social reality, elements of ageism appear. Ageism is discrimination based on age. The social environment, social pressure in the form of age exclusion practices in hiring and firing provokes many people to leave work at an age when they are still able to work. As a rule, the explanation is an indication of the inability, for example, to complete work on time, non-perception of innovations, a decrease in professional level, their inhibition, etc. In other words, we are talking about professional destruction, to which older workers are highly susceptible.

It is necessary to define the concept of “Professional destruction”. Professional destruction is understood as the destruction, change or deformation of the personality structure in the space of professional work. E.F. Zeer defines this concept as “gradually accumulated changes in the existing structure of activity and personality, negatively affecting labor productivity and interaction with other participants in this process, as well as on the development of the personality itself.” By this concept, we understand the “trigger mechanism” leading to a crisis of professional adaptation of a person

In modern demographic conditions, it seems an urgent task to identify the factors that determine professional destruction in old age and, what is equally important, to determine the extent of their insurmountability and establish the limits of influence.

Traditionally, aging is associated with the self-perception of a person of his age. The dependence of the influence of factors of age, income and status on signs of aging was highlighted: Social status of a person, communication, orientation to the past.

Another important factor was identified that influences the professional destruction of a person - this is emotional burnout.

The term “Burnout Syndrome” was coined in the 1970s. American researcher K. Maslach. This term is often used to describe and analyze occupational strain. Scientist G.S. Nikiforov defines burnout as a response to chronic stress, which includes 3 components: Emotional and or physical exhaustion, decreased work productivity, dehumanization interpersonal relationships. Some scientists define burnout as the body's reaction to prolonged exposure to moderate-intensity occupational stress.

The syndrome occurs in all age groups and in various types activities, but the depth of impact is not the same for all age groups. This conclusion suggests itself from the definitions of the concept of “emotional burnout” given above, which emphasizes that the “trigger” of the disorder is chronic stress or prolonged exposure to the employee. The frequency of occurrence of this syndrome in mature specialists is much higher than the frequency of occurrence in young specialists. Consequently, the emotional burnout of older workers, other things being equal, is expressed more clearly. Sociologists give the example that it is not uncommon to hear the following words from older workers: “I’m worn out.” In their opinion, such statements indicate emotional burnout of the employee.

An extremely difficult situation is elevated state depression in older workers. Depression at this age is characterized by the ability to rejoice, decreased activity, feelings of anxiety, as well as a widespread fear of becoming a “burden.” It has been proven that older workers exposed to professional stress experience it more painfully and deeply than their younger colleagues.

Thus, at a later age, a person is more susceptible to various psychological diseases. This suggests that at retirement age people also have certain difficulties.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this work, it became clear that pensioners are a certain social group.

We found that, in general, the self-esteem of pensioners is quite low. This is determined by such factors as an unsuccessful marriage, an unsuccessful career, serious and long-term illnesses, character traits, etc. Currently, pensioners are characterized by pessimistic moods, which are also associated with some difficulties.

Based on the research results, problems such as poverty, disability, and satisfactory health were identified. We also found that some pensioners experience problems in relationships with relatives. The studies cited as an example showed that with retirement, a person’s social world narrows, the circle of communication is limited mainly to immediate relatives and, partly, to neighbors and work colleagues, and a few friends. The most important value of retirees is family. It also fulfills many of the needs of an elderly person. And if such connections are absent, then this mainly affects health, self-esteem, material security and other indicators. It was also revealed that pensioners still need special attention from social protection authorities.

References

1. Vladimirov, D.G. Older generation as a factor of economic development // SotsIs. – 2004. – No. 4. – P. 57-60.

2. Dobrynina, E. Pension is less than life // Rossiyskaya Gazeta. –2006. – No. 4229.

3. Elutina, M.E., Chekanova, E.E. Elderly man in educational space modern society//SotsIs. –2003. – No. 4. – P. 43-48.

4. Kovaleva, N.G. A differentiated approach to studying the needs and value orientations of the elderly. 12/26/2010.

5. Kozlova, T.Z. Self-esteem of pensioners // SotsIs. – 2003. – No. 4. – P. 58-63.

6. Kozlova, T.Z. Social time of pensioners //SotsIs. – 2002. – No. 6. – P. 130-135.

7. Makeeva, I.V. Social well-being of pensioners in a northern city // 12/14/2010.

8. Parakhonskaya, G.A. Elderly man in the family // SotsIs. – 2002. – No. 6. – P. 103-110.

9. Pisarev, A.V. The image of the elderly in modern Russia // SotsIs. – 2004.– No. 4. –S. 51-56.

Old age, as a period of people's lives, absorbs many fundamental problems both in the biological and medical sphere, and issues of social and personal life of society and each individual. During this period, many problems arise for older people, since older people belong to the category of the “low-mobility” population and are the least protected, socially vulnerable part of society.

This is due primarily to defects and physical condition caused by diseases with reduced physical activity. In addition, the social vulnerability of older people is associated with the presence of a mental disorder, which shapes their attitude towards society and makes it difficult to have adequate contact with it.

Mental problems arise when there is a break in the usual way of life and communication in connection with retirement, when loneliness occurs as a result of the loss of a spouse, when characterological characteristics are sharpened as a result of the development of the sclerotic process. All this leads to the emergence of emotional-volitional disorders, the development of depression, and behavioral changes.

Decline vitality, which underlies all sorts of ailments, is largely explained psychological factor- a pessimistic assessment of the future, a hopeless existence. At the same time, the deeper the introspection, the more difficult and painful the mental restructuring.

The main difficulty lies in changing the status of older people and maximizing their independent and active life in old age, caused primarily by the cessation or restriction labor activity, revisions of value guidelines, the very way of life and communication, as well as the emergence of various difficulties both in social and everyday life and in psychological adaptation to new conditions.

The financial situation of Russian pensioners does not correspond to ideas about a decent old age. The average replacement rate in Russia during recent years declines because the growth rate of pensions lags behind the growth rate of wages.

The increased social vulnerability of older citizens is also associated with economic factors: small pensions received, low employment opportunities both in enterprises and in obtaining work at home.

An important social problem for older people is the gradual destruction of traditional family foundations, which has led to the fact that the older generation does not occupy an honorable leading position. Very often, older people generally live separately from their families and therefore they are unable to cope with their ailments and loneliness, and if previously the main responsibility for the elderly lay with the family, now it is increasingly being taken on by state and local authorities and social protection institutions.

In the conditions of our country, when average duration Women's lives are approximately 12 years longer than men's; an elderly family most often ends in female loneliness.

Chronic diseases reduce the ability to self-care and adapt to changes. Difficulties may arise with others, including loved ones, even with children and grandchildren. The psyche of elderly and old people is sometimes characterized by irritability, resentment, and senile depression is possible, sometimes leading to suicide and leaving home. Elderly and senile people are, first of all, lonely - but we must remember that not only the elderly person needs help, but also his family.

The onset of maturity and old age is an inevitable process, but their objective position, as well as their experience, views, and value orientations, are products of the social environment.

Thus, today every fifth resident of Russia is an old-age pensioner. In almost all families at least one of the family members is an elderly person. The problems of third generation people can be considered universal. Elderly people need increased attention from society and the state, and represent a specific object of social work.

State educational institution
Higher professional education
Khakass State University named after. N.F. Katanova
Center for Socio-Political and Humanitarian Education
Department of Philosophy and Sociology
Abstract
Subdiscipline General Sociology
PROBLEMS OF PENSIONERS
Completed:
Student
Group S-21
Specialty "Sociology"
Repilenko E.V.
Checked:
Zelenetskaya T.I.

Abakan 2010

Introduction
1.Image of older people
1.1Types of old age and social time of pensioners
1.2 Position of older people in society
2.Difficulties of the elderly
2.1 Poverty and health status
2.2Relationships with family
2.3Work ability
Conclusion
List of Literature

Introduction

Today, the number of pensioners is about 30% of the population; they are a large social group. Almost all countries of the world, except for the underdeveloped ones, where it is very difficult to live to an old age, are turning into “states of old people.” The common problem of all countries has not spared Russia: our elderly people are becoming more numerous every year. In this regard, the potential for studying pensioners in the context of sociology is growing.
Having stopped job, old man faces a new attitude towards himself from his usual circle of people, for example, children, friends or former work colleagues. Retirement is an important event not only for a specific person, but also for those around him.
The topic of studying pensioners is certainly relevant, because now pensioners act as a large socio-demographic group, and therefore there is a need to study them.
The problem with the research, in my opinion, is that perhaps we ourselves create conditions in which pensioners experience some difficulties.
The object of our research is pensioners as a social group.
The subject of the study is the lifestyle of retirees.
The purpose of the study is to identify the problems that a person faces when reaching retirement age.
Research objectives:
1. Find out what age is retirement.
2. Define key concepts and determine types of old age.
3. Find out how people imagine the lifestyle of retirees.
4. Analyze the results of sociological research, on the basis of which to determine the difficulties of pensioners.
Key concepts: Social time, Social well-being, Professional destruction, Emotional burnout.

1. Image of older people

1.1 Types of old age and social time of pensioners

First, you need to answer the question: what age group are pensioners? In recent decades, various age classification options have been proposed for the later period of human life. In the documents of the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO), the age from 60 to 74 years is considered as elderly; 75 years and older – old people; 90 years of age and older are long-livers. The report of the WHO expert committee refers to a UN decision from 1980, which recommends that age 60 years be considered as the threshold for transition to the elderly group.
However, there is no single point of view on the issue of the characteristics and boundaries of the “elderly”. Polish demographer E. Rosset considers demographic age to be the main sign of population aging.
This indicator reflects the percentage of people of calendar (chronological) age in relation to the total population.
The beginning of demographic old age is taken to be the moment when the population of people “60 years and older” reaches 12% of the total population. In other words, a population in which the proportion of persons of this age has reached 12% is old in a demographic sense.
After determining the age of pensioners, you can directly begin to study them. In the life of pensioners, in my opinion, one of the main parameters influencing their well-being is “social time”. It can be assumed that in this context, social time is introduced for a more detailed study of certain stages in the lives of pensioners.
Social time is the pace and rhythm of events during a certain period of existence of an individual, group or society.
Social time is an important differentiating factor in life styles. According to sociologists, the most successful way to study the experience of time is to analyze biography. In this context, we can distinguish 3 stages of social time: understanding the life lived, attitude towards the present, thoughts about the future.
The assessment of a life lived depends on a number of factors: the ratio of the goals that a person set for himself in his youth, and the degree of their implementation, as well as the socio-psychological type of personality. Also, it should be noted that well-being is influenced by values. The author gives an example: “For some (especially women), loneliness and old age are almost a blessing, for others - the absence of a family, children - means their own disadvantage, gives rise to the confidence that life has not worked out.” You can notice , that the assessment of the life lived is viewed through the “today’s situation.” According to the study, it was highlighted that the reasons for “wasted years” are: unsuccessful marriage and incurable diseases.
In studying the attitude of pensioners to their present, it was highlighted that with age, the mood of pessimism increases. Basically, this is caused, in my opinion, by unfulfilled hopes. For example, under Soviet rule, people counted on government help in their old age. Some Russians (especially older ones) still have such expectations. And now, when the pension barely reaches the subsistence level, many pensioners have lost faith in the state.
As for thoughts about the future, less than a quarter of pensioners are confident that their lives will soon get better. According to the survey, the vast majority of older people think about death.
From this study it is clear that, basically, the reasons for “failed lives” are a failed marriage (career) and serious illnesses.
According to estimates of life lived, scientists distinguish 2 types of old age: Prosperous and unfavorable, each of which is divided into subtypes. Prosperous old age corresponds to 4 types: Active and creative old age (pensioners lead a healthy lifestyle, continue to work, participate in public life), Comfortable old age (Energy is directed towards oneself: rest, playing sports, organizing one’s own leisure time), the third type is when all the efforts of a pensioner are devoted to supporting your family and the fourth type - paying attention to your own health (diet, medications, exercise, etc.). The variant of dysfunctional old age includes 2 types: Aggressive old people (they make claims to others, opposing themselves to all people) and a type that is characterized as “Self-criticism” (this is a type of old people who blame only themselves for all their failures. Such people, as a rule, , low self-esteem).
Scientists say that the life of every person is influenced by his own self-esteem. If she was tall in her youth, then she remains tall in old age.
From the above, we can conclude that a large proportion of the causes of “failed lives” fall on: the consequences of war, unsuccessful marriage, loss of children, unsuccessful career, serious and incurable illnesses in adulthood.
It can also be noted that the modern lifestyle of a significant part of our pensioners is characterized by pessimistic moods. Less than half of respondents think about death. The reasons are similar to those that determine the share of “failed lives” of pensioners.

1.2 Position of older people in society

Many people tend to think that the elderly are, first of all, disadvantaged people in need of adequate social security. Another opinion, shared by the elderly themselves, is that this group of the population represents significant human potential, which can and should be involved in the socially active life of society. It is not accepted in society to talk about the third position, but still such a point of view exists - “Elderly - This is the social ballast of society that slows down reforms.”
In November 2001, the Committee for Social Protection of the Population of the city of Yugorsk conducted a study, the purpose of which was to ascertain opinions about the role of older people in society and to assess the adequacy of modern social policy in relation to this category.
As the results of the study showed, the view of older people as a burden to society is unacceptable for 2/3 of those surveyed, although it is alarming that about 20% found it difficult to answer.
Other points of view are divided in society. About 78% believe that the elderly are, first of all, disadvantaged people in need of social security, and more than 60% regard the elderly as having significant human potential. This inconsistency persists in all groups of respondents, although the significance of the point of view of one or another category of the population still differs in such parameters as age and education. The combination of these parameters provides an analysis of the variations of opinions depending on the profession, occupation, and field of activity. Thus, the maximum number of those who agree with the opinion that the elderly represent significant human potential were among representatives of the humanitarian and creative intelligentsia, civil servants and engineers of enterprises and construction projects. However, as in previous cases, the overwhelming number of respondents, regardless of profession and field of activity, considered pensioners to be disadvantaged and socially unprotected people.
The differences in opinion related to respondents' incomes are quite consistent. The middle income group tends to view the elderly as having significant potential.
Residents of megacities and rural settlements are rather skeptical about the elderly as having significant human potential and least of all see them as disadvantaged people.
You can also compare the image of the elderly in Russia and the elderly in other developed countries. Based on the survey data, we can conclude that the human potential of older people in Russia is quite high, in any case, comparable to developed countries (excluding health status), but the degree of its implementation, both in social and private life, is much lower.
With age, negativity increases in relation to the comparative characteristics of the state of health, standard of living, and implementation in the social and private spheres.
In accordance with the fact that the majority of respondents did not support the point of view of the elderly as social ballast, two other strategies, in accordance with the contradictory image of the elderly, received a high degree of support. From this we can conclude that the population is quite optimistic about older people. The only thing that makes you think is the rather high percentage of difficulties in answering. This suggests that perhaps, in the opinion of many people, pensioners are social ballast.
Scientists have identified an approach to the study of pensioners as a socio-demographic group, the essence of which determines the needs and value orientations of pensioners. It was also highlighted that pensioners as a socio-demographic group are quite heterogeneous. Also, this approach, in a sense, determines the structure of this group due to the need to identify values and needs.
Currently, a new approach is being developed, which will be based on the fact that there is a close connection between lifestyle and the needs of retirees.
From the above, it follows that most of the respondents do not turn a blind eye to the lives of pensioners. They see in them enormous human potential. The specificity of the new approach lies in the description of the structure of the social stratum of the elderly in terms of lifestyle, which forms the basis for the subsequent analysis of the needs, value orientations and social norms characteristic of various groups of old people.

2. Difficulties of the elderly

2.1 Poverty and Health
As far as everyone knows, today the size of the pension for some pensioners barely reaches the subsistence level. The financial situation of pensioners is a constantly discussed topic in the media and at the government level. In this context, financial situation means sufficiency of cash income, in-kind income from personal farming, and help from relatives.
As far as I know, every worker contributes a percentage of his income to the Pension Fund. However, Russia, in this regard, has its own characteristics. Employers usually conceal the real amount of payments in order to evade taxes - accordingly, contributions to these funds are reduced. Thus, the incomes of pensioners differ more and more sharply from the incomes of other citizens. According to statistics, in 2000 the average monthly pension was 31.2% of the average accrued salary, in 2005 it was only 27.6%. Following this logic, in 2010 the pension could have been much larger.
Pensioners have the assumption that in the near future their lives will become much worse. This despondency is explained by the fact that pensioners look at life realistically. After all, pensions themselves are much lower than salaries, and their indexation does not keep pace with rising prices.
With age, social and everyday problems worsen. As the results of the study showed, 85% of pensioners face such problems. Among them are such as home repairs and payment of utilities. As for me, I myself am indignant at the resolution of this issue. After all, every family experiences difficulties with home repairs, and for pensioners, in my opinion, this problem takes on special significance, since most older people live in dilapidated housing, in private houses that have never been renovated. The study also showed that for the majority of pensioners who live in multi-entrance houses served by utility companies, life becomes more difficult every year due to the increase in the cost of utilities. And for those who live in private houses, managing the household becomes more and more difficult with age. Only 10% cope with this themselves. The rest are helped by the Social Protection Committee, children, and relatives. Some pensioners noted that only their garden saves them.
Health status is another negative side of people of retirement age. According to the survey results, it is health that adds a lot of dull colors to the picture of the world of pensioners (32.5%). The majority of respondents (30%) characterize their health status as satisfactory, while poor health is typical for 22.5%. It is important to note that your sample did not include pensioners who rated their health as very good or very bad.
In addition to the factors of poor ecology, deteriorating food quality, and hard work, health is affected by factors such as marital status and ability to work. As the study showed, the health status of married pensioners differs significantly from that of single elderly people. 46.1% of married people and 20.7 “singles” consider it good or satisfactory. Having children also affects your health. The conclusion here is obvious: childless pensioners constantly need help, while pensioners who have children need it to a lesser extent.
Another problem that pensioners consider urgent is the problem of medical care. Its complexity and relevance are determined both by the state of our medicine and by the natural aging of the body and its accompanying diseases. Almost 60% of respondents noted that in their youth they were negligent about their health, but life has changed their views and, as a result, only a quarter continues to be negligent about their health, the rest take preventive measures or monitor their health constantly. Mostly (60%) people of the third age are satisfied with the quality of medical care. Dissatisfaction stems from the introduction of fees for medical care. service. From this we can conclude that the majority of pensioners are not prosperous in social terms. Over time, medical activity among older people is becoming increasingly low.
2.2 Relationships with kin

Only a third of Russian pensioners live separately from younger relatives. This greatly affects the level of well-being of families, and not for the better. If, for example, in the 90s it often happened that the whole family lived on “grandmother’s pension”, now everything is completely different. The study showed that a pensioner (like a child) creates additional problems for the family. 32% of families with pensioners admitted to sociologists that their financial situation had significantly worsened. But still, most children help their parents.
Help means a lot to an elderly person. Apparently, through her the need to feel needed and useful to their children is realized: the elderly person strives to provide them with support “as long as his legs can hold up.” Moreover, the range of types of assistance for retirees is quite high: from financial assistance to help with household chores. And this also requires significant effort. A pattern has been identified according to which female pensioners help their grandchildren much more often than male pensioners. Living alone makes it difficult to get help. Pensioners who receive help feel much better in terms of health and financial security. Sociologists have also noted the connection between assistance and education. From here it was revealed that pensioners with higher education help their relatives with money and deny help by “force”.
Scientists distinguish three groups based on the nature of the exchange of assistance:
1. Those providing and receiving assistance
2. Pure donors (provide, but do not receive)
3. Pure recipients (receive, but do not provide)
The largest group are those who receive help and at the same time provide help.
Conclusion: The study showed that the current older generation of Russia helps their relatives in everything they can. Be it financial help or help with housekeeping.
2.3 Work ability

Work is one of the ways to still remain in society and not feel abandoned. For many retirees, “being in public” is very important. After reaching retirement age, people get jobs that do not require special qualifications: concierges, watchmen, janitors, ticket takers, cloakroom attendants, etc.
In general, pensioners for the most part find themselves “needed” in the public sector of the economy (education, science, culture, healthcare, social security). Salaries here are low, which means that young people will not go to work for such bodies and migrant workers will not be able to cope. As in previous times, employers are reluctant to hire those who have a little time left before retirement. These people agree to “lower their status” and go to work in less prestigious positions.
As sociologists have found out, pensioners are very afraid of losing their jobs, because... They cannot withstand competition with young people, and the state has withdrawn from caring for them in this case.
The main reason why pensioners go to work after reaching this age is a lack of money. As sociologists have found out, it is those who live “with young people” who most often try to find at least some extra income. In addition, the opportunity to receive any benefits at the expense of an enterprise or company is very important for such people. Moral incentives play a very important role in this. Working pensioners feel in demand and needed. Working pensioners are very beneficial for the country. Not only do they not ask the state, but earn money themselves, but they also earn their pension by making contributions to the Pension Fund. Using the potential of older people is a definite basis for further development, since as a result, society has additional resources, and older people have the opportunity for self-realization.
It was noted that the health status of working pensioners is somewhat better than that of the unemployed.
But there are also a number of problems at work for retirees, which will be discussed further.
For example, in modern educational practices, as in other areas of social reality, elements of ageism appear. Ageism is discrimination based on age. The social environment, social pressure in the form of age exclusion practices when hiring and firing provoke many people to leave work at an age when they are still able to work. As a rule, the explanation is an indication of the inability, for example, to complete work on time, non-perception of innovations, a decrease in the professional level, their inhibition, etc. In other words, we are talking about professional destruction, to which older workers are highly susceptible.
It is necessary to define the concept of “Professional destruction”. Professional destruction is understood as the destruction, change or deformation of the personality structure in the space of professional work. E.F. Zeer defines this concept as “gradually accumulated changes in the existing structure of an individual’s activity, negatively affecting labor productivity and interaction with other participants in this process, as well as on the development of the individual himself.” By this concept, we understand the “trigger mechanism” leading to a crisis in a person’s professional adaptation
In modern demographic conditions, it seems an urgent task to identify the factors that determine professional destruction in old age and, which is not unimportant, to determine the extent of their insurmountability, to establish the limits of influence.
Traditionally, aging is associated with the self-perception of a person of his age. The dependence of the influence of factors of age, income and status on signs of aging was highlighted: Social status of a person, communication, orientation to the past.
Another important factor was identified that affects a person’s professional destruction - emotional burnout.
The term "syndrome burnout" was coined in the 1970s. American researcher K. Maslach. This term is often used to describe and analyze occupational deformities. Scientist G.S. Nikiforov defines burnout as a response to chronic stress, which includes 3 components: Emotional and/or physical exhaustion, decreased work productivity, and dehumanization of interpersonal relationships. Some scientists define burnout as the body's reaction to prolonged exposure to moderate-intensity occupational stress.
The syndrome occurs in all age groups and in various types of activities, but the depth of impact in all age groups is not the same. This conclusion suggests itself from the definitions of the concept of “emotional burnout” given above, which emphasizes that the “trigger” of the disorder is chronic stress or prolonged exposure to the employee. The frequency of occurrence of this syndrome in mature specialists is much higher than the frequency of occurrence in young specialists. Consequently, the emotional burnout of older workers, all other things being equal, is expressed more clearly. Sociologists give an example that it is not uncommon to hear the following words from older workers: “I’m worn out.” In their opinion, such statements indicate emotional burnout of the employee.
An extremely difficult situation is the increased state of depression among older workers. Depression at this age is characterized by the ability to rejoice, decreased activity, feelings of anxiety, as well as a widespread fear of becoming a “burden.” It has been proven that older workers exposed to professional stress experience it more painfully and deeply than their younger colleagues.
Thus, at a later age, a person is more susceptible to various psychological diseases. This suggests that at retirement age people also have certain difficulties.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this work, it became clear that pensioners are a certain social group.
We found that, in general, the self-esteem of pensioners is quite low. This is determined by such factors as an unsuccessful marriage, an unsuccessful career, serious and long-term illnesses, character traits, etc. Currently, pensioners are characterized by pessimistic moods, which are also associated with some difficulties.
Based on the results of the research, problems such as poverty, disability, and poor health were identified. We also found that some retirees experience problems in relationships with relatives. The studies cited as examples showed that with retirement a person’s social world narrows, the circle of communication is limited mainly to immediate relatives and, partly, to neighbors and work colleagues, a few friends. The most important value family becomes pensioners. It also fulfills many of the needs of an elderly person. And if such connections are absent, then this mainly affects health, self-esteem, material security and other indicators. It was also revealed that pensioners still need special attention from the social protection authorities.

References
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3. Elutina, M.E., Chekanova, E.E. An elderly person in the educational space of modern society // Social Sciences. –2003. – No. 4. – P. 43-48.
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Raising the retirement age in Russia could become a source of resources for higher pensions, better healthcare, especially for older people, as well as deeper financing of the social services sector, Minister of Economic Development (MED) Maxim Oreshkin said in an interview with Gazeta.Ru .

However, “raising the retirement age makes no sense for a number of reasons,” says Alexander Safonov, vice-rector of the Academy of Labor and Social Relations.

Firstly, the prospects for the labor market are such that the older a person is, the less involved he is in the market. There are no vacancies or they are being reduced, and the only form of employment for the older generation is maintaining their jobs, as a rule, in places with low wages and unfavorable working conditions.

In other words, the economy today does not need the working hands of pensioners, and there is nowhere to employ them.

The second problem is related to the fact that increasing labor productivity and automation of production pushes workers out of the labor market, so even from a strategic point of view, raising the retirement age does not look relevant,” Safonov explains to FBA Economy Today.

The expert suggests that raising the retirement age will negatively affect the situation with pension provision within five years, since in front of people delayed on the labor market pension system there will be increased obligations.

Another point not in favor of increasing the retirement age is related to the general state of health and hidden disability of the population. It is possible that persons who are asked to remain in the labor market will take a different path and simply apply for disability pensions

But the relevant departments are also considering alternative options to raising the retirement age. In particular, we are talking about increasing the minimum length of service required to receive an old-age pension.

Photo from the site: rscf.ru

The main concern of older people in Russia is poverty.

This is stated in a study by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM).

The severity of the problem of low pensions is such that older people are less concerned about even illness and transition to another world.

According to the survey, the majority of respondents consider poverty and low pensions to be the main problem (59% of respondents stated this). Only in second place are health problems (45%).

According to a September survey by the Levada Center, poverty and health issues concern not only older people, but also the majority of younger Russians.

The fact that these two troubles are closely interrelated is quite understandable - getting sick when there is no money for medicine is very scary. But Russians are very philosophical about the possibility of leaving this mortal coil. Only 33% said they were afraid of death in general.

The authorities have nothing to please the elderly yet. According to the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development, in real terms, pensions will only decrease in the next three years, primarily due to the refusal of indexation for working pensioners.

“In Russia as a whole, the standard of living is quite low - the size of salaries, pensions and benefits does not correspond to the cost of goods and services. This is due to economic reasons - the ruble has now stabilized, but its real value is very low when compared with other currencies. Also, inflation, the reduction of which so much is said, is caused, among other things, by the fact that prices have reached a “ceiling” - citizens cannot afford purchases, so prices are falling, but so is productivity. Pensions are fully integrated into this system - they small size fully corresponds to Russian economic conditions. The second reason is the absolute inefficiency of the pension system, which they are trying to support with one-time “infusions” of money, but this does not work,” Roman Alekhin, head of the marketing agency “Alekhine and Partners,” said in an interview with “Civil forces.ru”.

According to the expert, until the authorities have come up with a concept for reforming the pension system, it is probably not worth expecting that the state of the social sphere will improve in the near future.

“It is clear that older Russians are more concerned about earthly problems than otherworldly ones. Prices for medicines are rising, pensions are indexed only to the level of inflation, that is, in real terms they practically do not increase. Pensions cannot become significantly larger before sustainable economic growth begins. And this is just a hitch. Yes, the food and light industries have indeed revived slightly. But for a real recovery, effective demand is needed. This requires people to move away from the savings behavior model, which is difficult to imagine in a crisis and declining incomes. Many people stopped buying anything at all except the essentials. What can we say about pensioners? It turns out to be a vicious circle,” Valery Mironov, deputy director of the HSE Development Center, told Civil Forces.ru.