Due to the spread of coronavirus people throughout the world, many countries, Croatia included, have been forced to impose social distancing resulting in an increased number of people at risk of another public health problem – loneliness. Loneliness can be defined as the presence of negative emotions associated with the perceived social exclusion and is identified as one of the major issues of the aging population. There is a relatively small number of studies either dealing with the use of various communication methods, particularly information and communication technologies, by the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic or determining potential benefits of such activities. The aim of this research was to determine the difference in self-assessment of social and family loneliness according to the means of communication used by the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted in March and April 2020 covering the period from the introduction of the epidemiological measures of social distancing and self-isolation until the relaxation of virus-related restrictions in Croatia. The research included 107 subjects over the age of 65 living in their own homes in the Croatian city of Bjelovar. A Frequency of the Used Communication Methods Questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of this research. The Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults was used to determine the level of loneliness. The obtained results indicate that lower levels of social and family loneliness were shown by subjects who stated in their self-assessment a higher intensity level of communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as making telephone/mobile phone calls, using information technology (computers for video calls, social networks, etc.) and mobile chat applications (Viber, Skype, WhatsApp, etc.), as well as having face-to-face communication. Subjects who rarely or never communicated by using any means of the abovementioned communication showed higher levels of social and family loneliness. Results of this research suggest that using various communication methods, particularly modern communication technologies, have a positive effect on reducing the level of loneliness in the elderly. Teamwork of gerontologists, communication technologists and other experts who work with older population could introduce them to communication technology thus making them more satisfied and improving their quality of life.

BACKGROUND: After a stroke, patients experience sensorimotor damage, balance disorders, loss of selective movement, hypotonia and/or hypertonia, and hypersensitivity, all of which affect gait. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish the effectiveness of Bobath therapy with additional specific soft tissue mobilizations versus standard Bobath intervention. METHODS: Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (S1 and S2) of 20 people each. Both groups underwent the same intervention (Bobath concept) over a 5-week period, while the second study group (S2) also received additional, specific soft tissue mobilization. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Active Range of Motion (AROM) of dorsiflexion and knee flexion and extension were used as clinical variables to assess the efficacy of therapy modalities. Data was analysed using a mixed model ANOVA. RESULTS: A significant interaction of group and time was found. The experimental (S2) group had a larger improvement of balance and AROM than the control (S1) group. There was no clear advantage of one group over the other for TUGT. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that a combination of Bobath treatment and additional specific soft tissue mobilizations are more effective in increasing AROM and balance and mobility.

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The ageing of the population in Croatia and an increase in the number of elderly persons who retain their retirement status for a longer period call for more research on retirement adaptation. This study was focussed on providing a clearer insight into the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and retirement adjustment, as well as the identification of factors that could increase a low level of retirement adjustment in older people. The research was conducted as a survey in spring 2018 in retirement homes in the Croatian town of Bjelovar and the city of Zagreb. It included 211 older people of both genders aged 65 and above. Retirement Adjustment Factor Questionnaire was used to assess Atchley's Model of Retirement Adjustment. The results confirmed the conceptual hypotheses from earlier studies. The socioeconomic characteristics of the participants such as level of education, type of retirement, monthly income level, and type of occupation were associated with the success of retirement adjustment in the Pre-Retirement, Honeymoon, Routine, and Termination phases from Atchley's Model of Retirement Adjustment, while the Honeymoon Phase was related only to retirement length. Aside from promoting academic and public discussions on the topic, the study findings have potential implications for creating social programmes to improve the quality of life of the elderly and provide a better understanding of how the older population living in retirement homes experience retirement.

Mijastenija gravis jest autoimuna neuromuskularna bolest pri kojoj organizam stvara protutijela protiv receptora na mišićnim stanicama i tako sprječava prijenos podražaja sa živaca na mišiće. Mišići se brzo umaraju i javlja se slabost mišića. Cilj istraživanja bio je provjeriti koliko su oboljeli od mijastenije gravis uključeni u fizioterapijski program i druge oblike tjelesne aktivnosti te ispitati stav oboljelih o ulozi tjelesne aktivnosti na njihovu bolest te postoji li razlika funkcioniranja u svakodnevnom životu kod oboljelih s obzirom na poteškoće povezane s inkontinencijom, operaciju timusa i na spol. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 211 ispitanika s dijagnosticiranom mijastenijom gravis, 181 žena (85,8%) te 30 muškaraca (14,2%), prosječne dobi 39 godina. Rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazuju da većina ispitanika smatra kako planirana tjelesna aktivnost pogoršava njihovo zdravstveno stanje, nema utjecaja ili nisu upoznati s učincima na zdravstveno stanje, manje su tjelesno aktivne i većinski nisu uključene u proces fizioterapije ni u neki drugi vid tjelesne aktivnosti. Statistički značajna razlika funkcioniranja u svakodnevnom životu nađena je kod osoba koje su operirale timus (p<0,00) i koje imaju problema s inkontinencijom (p<0,00). Neupitno je da mijastenija gravis dovodi do smanjenja funkcioniranja u svakodnevnom životu te da edukacija oboljelih o važnosti terapijskog vježbanja donosi benefite u smislu boljeg funkcioniranja za oboljele od mijastenije gravis.