Self-Realization of Seniors as a Way of Overcoming Social Exclusion

Abstract

The aging of population is one of the most pressing problems of the modern world. Because of this, demographers refer to the present days as the age of old people. According to statistics, the growth rate of the number of the elderly in the world is twice the population growth as a whole that is why a number of problems have appeared, which require speedy resolution. These are – the problems of social adaptation and social exclusion, the problems of effective use of the existing potential of older people and creating conditions for their education and productive development. The resolution of the above problems requires a more thorough study of this period of ontogenesis, forming a new attitude toward the elderly and their participation in social development at the national level, the creation of programs of psychological support of “positive aging” and the search for new forms of cooperation, involving the elderly in active social life. The results of the analysis of psychological and educational literature and the public life in Ukraine show that the need of the elderly for education and self-realization cannot find opportunities for satisfaction because the current state policy and the society are poorly targeted at seniors and avoid the topic of social exclusion of these people. However, their motivation for continuous learning and development, their pursuit of activities, and the need for social, communicative and cultural ties make a person at this age seek new opportunities for self-realization and avoiding of social exclusion.