Dealing with social exclusion and poverty in old age: An assessment from a social work perspective

In the study, it was aimed to analyze the social exclusion and poverty situations of elderly individuals and their characteristics of coping with them from the perspective of ecological social work. Quantitative research design and relational survey model were used in the study. The participants of the study were selected from elderly individuals aged 65 and over residing in the central district of Zonguldak province and towns / villages connected to the central district. Stratified simple random sampling method was used and 317 of the participants were selected from the neighborhoods of the central district and 83 from the towns and villages of the central district. In the study, "Interview Form", "Social Exclusion Scale for the Elderly" and "Poverty Perception Scale" were used to determine the micro, meso, exo and macro level characteristics of the participants from the perspective of ecological social work. The study data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 and IBM SPSS Amos 23 programs. Social exclusion and poverty perceptions of elderly individuals are affected by a number of micro, meso, exo and macro level characteristics determined within the scope of the model created in the context of ecological social work perspective. Within the scope of micro-level characteristics, it has been determined that elderly people who have high income, have good health, engage in physical activity and live in elderly-friendly conditions experience less multidimensional social exclusion and poverty. Within the scope of meso-level characteristics, it was determined that elderly people who participate in social activities with family members, are not neglected by family members, have friends, do not have to cut back on consumption expenditures and live in an elderly-friendly environment experience less multidimensional social exclusion and poverty. Within the scope of exo-level characteristics, it has been determined that elderly people who have access to public services, who think that the scope of public services and public service buildings are suitable for the needs of the elderly, who are satisfied with local government services, who are informed about their socioeconomic rights and who find social assistance sufficient experience less multidimensional social exclusion and poverty. Within the scope of macro-level characteristics, the elderly who think that there is a positive attitude towards the elderly in the society, who do not experience discrimination against the elderly, who think that they have equal opportunities with everyone in terms of accessing socioeconomic opportunities, and who think that social policies are organized in a way to protect elderly individuals experience less multidimensional social exclusion. In line with the data obtained in the research, intervention, service, practice and policy recommendations for micro, meso, exo and macro systems, which are thought to reduce social exclusion and poverty in old age and improve the ability of older individuals to cope with social exclusion and poverty, have been developed within the framework of ecological social work perspective.