The principles of social policy in Poland are based on equality of rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Hence privileges for disabled persons like more state-aided education, additionally benefits for disabled children and their parents, tax reduction as well as financial incentives for disabled persons epmloyers. In reality, fewer discrimination appears in their access to employment and in equal treatment be employers. Nursing services in a place of residence are secured by public institutions, self-governments, non-profit organizations and voluntaries. Demographics analyses show that aging population and increasing phenomenon of disability create the growing demand on nursing services in place of residence and in nursing institutions, mostly for disabled and older people.
The way the modern world goes gives rise to the necessity of changes in the education system. We cease to be a homogeneous society and allow diversity and difference in many aspects of our life. Disabled individuals and their position in various life structures constitute elements of the puzzle called otherness. School makes a perfect place to start educational jobs which involve promoting acceptance and tolerance towards others. Educators deal with those aspects of their work which lead to evoking proper behavior and the right attitude towards disabled people. One vital step ahead in making children aware of the problem is to open their eyes to the hierarchy of values.
The purpose of the article is to present social determinants of age-related disability derived from the actual definition of disability according to World Health Organization. This definition emphasizes social causes of disability determined not solely by physical impairment but also by influence of physical and social environment. The environmental characteristics may lead to minimization or intensification of experienced impairment effects. Similarly in the case of disabled people in older age some aspects of social life may further limit their physical ability or even play a dominant role in the process of premature and pathological aging, what is confirmed by richly cited research studies in this area. The major attention was paid to: feeling of loneliness of seniors, social prejudices and discrimination because of age, overprotective attitudes, social unawareness about the reality of biopsychosocial condition in older age or insufficient adaptation of physical environment not satisfying older people needs. The study is completed by the problem of positive social support in the area of the complex functioning of the aged.
The Church points to the fact that disabled people have the right to get married and start a family. This right results from those people's personal dignity that has been given to them by God - the Creator. The possibility to start marital-familial communities by the disabled is a challenge for pastorate, as disability of the spouse negatively influences the realization of all the functions of the family. The basic role in the pastorate of the families of disabled people is played by the parish. Parish pastors should meet the spiritual and material needs of the disabled and their families. Their work should be permanent and systematic. Pastorate realized on the higher level, especially on the level of the diocese, has a great significance. It complements parish pastorate, meeting the spiritual, psychological, rehabilitation and social needs of the disabled and their families. A similar role is played by associations and foundations that are guided in their work by the Church's social teaching.
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