Model of Multidimensional Social Support of Life Activities of Elderly People in Gerontological Centers

Abstract

Geriatric care plays an important role in promoting health and solving complex socio-psychological problems of older people. Its recipients are a particularly vulnerable category of citizens who need comprehensive professional support that ensures daily social activity, communication and, as a result, a proper quality of life. Nevertheless, real experience shows that the principles of working with older people are still not fully declared, are of a limited nature, especially in those countries where gerontology as a scienti™c discipline is still under development. In accordance with the traditional model of geriatric care, adopted as a basis in modern Russia, care for the elderly is carried out, primarily based on their «main complaint». is article aims to form a holistic view of the role of geriatric centers in providing social support for the life of the elderly, to summarize the main aspects and principles of providing geriatric care, considering its multidimensional nature, based on the systematization of the experience of several foreign countries. e proposed structure of the model of multidimensional social support for the life of the elderly living in geriatric centers consists of the following blocks: social networks; social exchange; social activity (involvement); social capital. e theoretical underpinning of the proposed model is potentially useful for guiding future practice, research, and policy in this area. e social environment that can be built through the implementation of these four blocks can become one of the most important and most valuable tools in ensuring the comprehensive social and psychological well-being of older people. is study was aimed primarily at ™lling a gap in the Russian scienti™c literature, helping to comprehend the concept and model of social support for the elderly in the setting of geriatric centers. All this is essential to provide optimal assistance in response to the needs and needs of the older generation.