New social constructs in support of active ageing of older people in post-socialist societies

Author(s)

Abstract
In the context of the increasing aging of the population it is important to look for new opportunities to stimulate the active aging. In former socialist countries, this process is complicated by the specific characteristics of the elderly population, whose education and socialization at a young age was shaped by totalitarian ideology. New social constructs like a voluntary initiatives offer interesting opportunities, which motivate older people to rediscover the role of the community. The present field study of a volunteer kitchen for the poor allowed us to describe the main characteristics of the elderly people who use the kitchen and to compare their perception of support and cooperation with the elderly volunteers. The research confirmed our hypothesis that emerging social constructs based on volunteering in the local community activate the elderly to participate in social life.

Keywords
elderly, active ageing, volunteering, micro-community, postsocialism

Cite this paper
Vyara Tsvetanova, Mirela Kyuchukova, New social constructs in support of active ageing of older people in post-socialist societies , SCIREA Journal of Sociology. Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2025 | PP. 202-214. 10.54647/sociology841442