SYSTEM OPIEKI ZDROWOTNEJ W POLSCE WOBEC POTRZEB SENIORÓW: PRIORYTETY, RACJONOWANIE I DYSKRYMINACJA ZE WZGLĘDU NA WIEK

The article discusses problems related to providing seniors with healthcare services, with particular emphasis on various forms of age rationing. The data show that health condition of seniors in Poland is not good. One of the reasons is unsatisfactory healthcare resulting mainly from lack of financial resources. Therefore, the priority of healthcare policy is implementation of preventive programs aimed at popularization of healthy aging. Healthy aging is understood in several ways: as getting older in good health condition, as active participation in social life, as satisfaction with professional life and more independence in the everyday life. Patients perceive rationing of limited medical resources as age discrimination. During treatment of the aged several types of constraints of access to due medical procedures are implemented: their needs are ignored and the expenses are reduced. Institutional actions should be taken to develop geriatrics, improve quality of medical services, develop preventive medicine and promote of healthy lifestyle.