| Abstract (english) | Like many European countries, Croatia has, for more than two decades, recorded a continuous increase of the older population, and many demographic projections point to the inevitable continuation of that process. An ageing population brings many changes at all levels (from micro/individual, through local/mezzo to macro/national level), reflecting the recent, but also indicating the future challenges that ageing brings to society. During recent years, ageing has been observed in terms of (integral) sustainability. Unlike ageist and apocalyptical interpretations, this perspective insists on a constructive approach that sees recent challenges as an opportunity for development (Harms, 2005; Zaidi, 2016). Among the most important challenges is certainly the need to organize adequate, financially acceptable and quality care for older persons, which is also evident in the city of Split. Statistics show that the market for social services in Croatia is underdeveloped, and the accommodation capacities of (public) homes for older and infirm persons are insufficient, while the prices of accommodation and services of private homes for older and infirm persons are too high for most seniors (Žganec, Rusac & Laklija, 2008). The analyses of the situation in this area often do not take into account the experiences and suggestions of two key protagonists — older persons and the professionals working in the care and welfare system. This paper is based on an analysis of the empirical material collected by the method of semi-structured interviews with employees of two public homes for older and infirm persons in Split. The focus of the analysis is the interpretation of daily experiences and working routines of the employees (in most cases, this refers to social workers), advantages and challenges of the work that affect it and professional performance, which clearly indicate problems within the care system and give suggestions for its improvement |
