BARNE® HARTU: Towards an inclusive society for older people

Social exclusion is receiving increasing attention in the field of gerontology. This interest comes from a combination of the patterns of demographic ageing, current social and economic instability and the susceptibility of these age cohorts to growing inequalities.

This proposal seeks to take a multidimensional approach to exclusion by distinguishing two distinct profiles. The first one, older people who for reasons related to ageing may find themselves in situations of social exclusion, and on the other, people with life paths marked by exclusion who are in the process of ageing, as is the case of people with mental illness or homeless people, both including the gender perspective which undoubtedly marks the different life paths. The study of both profiles will make it possible to obtain a more complete vision of the situation of exclusion and ageing in the territory, as well as to increase knowledge regarding the age-exclusion binomial currently available in Gipuzkoa.

Objectives

The general objective of this project is to carry out a diagnosis of the situation and needs of various realities surrounding exclusion and ageing, taking into account the gender perspective. Specifically, the aim is to find out the situation of older people in relation to relevant variables relating to social exclusion, and to find out how excluded people in different situations in Gipuzkoa are aging. In addition, the needs of the studied realities will be identified and proposals of action will be designed for the identification of formulas of care and accompaniment in the different processes of exclusion.

In short, the aim is to incorporate the age dimension into the initiatives being developed by the Social Protection Service for Women Victims of Male Violence and Social Inclusion of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa.

This general objective can be specified in the following specific objectives according to the type of population to be studied:

Older people at risk and social exclusion, taking into account the gender perspective:

• To analyse the dimensions that affect the social exclusion of elderly people living in Gipuzkoa.
• To carry out a quantitative and qualitative x-ray of the current situation of elderly people in social exclusion in Gipuzkoa.
• To analyse the needs and demands for care of these people from their own experiences.

To identify formulas for care and support in the processes of exclusion.
Excluded people in the process of ageing, focusing mainly on people with mental health problems and homeless people:

• To carry out a qualitative x-ray of the current situation of excluded people who are ageing in Gipuzkoa through the analysis of their discourses and life history.
• To analyse the needs and demands for care of these people from their own experiences.
• To identify formulas for care and accompaniment in the processes of exclusion.

Target group

The target population is all people aged 60 and over resident in Gipuzkoa who are in the process of social exclusion from a multidimensional perspective of the construct and those people with life trajectories of exclusion who are in the process of ageing. Including the gender perspective in the analysis of profiles, needs and proposals for action.

Among the target companies, Hurkoa, a collaborating entity in the project, stands out. Hurkoa is a reference point in Gipuzkoa with extensive experience in the care and support of people with needs for guardianship and support, and is working on new responses to the social needs associated with people's increased life expectancy. In addition, the project will be developed jointly with professionals from the Social Protection Service for Women Victims of Male Violence and Social Inclusion of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and will have the participation of different entities working on social exclusion in Gipuzkoa. Entities to which the analysis of the reality of the specific group of elderly people in these situations can be of great value, for the elaboration and development of action programmes adjusted to their needs.

Finally, this project is aimed at the different professionals of the social and health services, including others such as police or social emergency personnel, who are in daily contact with people in social exclusion. 

Expected results

This study will allow progress to be made in knowledge and evidence of exclusion and ageing in Gipuzkoa in a holistic manner, addressing the different aspects related to this phenomenon, as well as compiling intervention proposals for tackling it from the identification of formulas for care and accompaniment.

Financing

Project selected in the call for proposals published in 2019 of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council's Adinberri strategy.