environment and society

Developing Culturally Sensitive Programs for Elderly

Shorena Sadzaglishvili, Natia Partskahaladze, — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0400

This paper presents the results of the "Study on Gender-Sensitive Aspects of Offering
Healthy Ageing Activities in Selected Regions of Georgia (Gori, Dmanisi, Bolnisi),"
conducted between September and December 2024. Developed in collaboration with

the Georgian Association of Social Workers (GASW) experts, IDP Women Association
"Consent" (IDPWA), and Hilfswerk International (HWI GE), the study explored
gender-specific needs and challenges related to aging in three municipalities across
the Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli regions, where IDPWA operates Healthy Ageing
(HA) centers.

IDPWA provides essential services for older individuals of diverse backgrounds,
promoting socialization, lifelong learning, and volunteer engagement. In 2023,
preliminary monitoring and evaluation (M&E) efforts in HA centers in Dmanisi and
Gori highlighted clear gender disparities in service utilization and ingrained
stereotypes regarding traditional gender roles. To expand on these findings, a
comprehensive, gender-sensitive study was undertaken in Phase II of the project.

A total of 213 individuals aged 60 years and above were interviewed using a structured
survey methodology. The study encountered challenges in identifying respondents
due to limited available data, necessitating reliance on snowball sampling and
engagement with municipal representatives, HA center personnel, and community
networks. The research instrument was piloted in June 2024 before conducting full-
scale data collection.

The study examined the intersection of gender and aging by identifying gender-
specific needs and barriers faced by older men and women. The analysis incorporated
an intersectional approach, considering diverse factors such as ethnic background,
disability status, living environment, and available support networks. A particular
focus was placed on conflict-affected communities, analyzing the impact of past
trauma on older adults' participation in HA activities. Findings indicate that trauma

often results in lower engagement levels, highlighting the need for tailored
interventions.

Data collection utilized face-to-face interviews, allowing interviewers to provide
explanations and clarifications to respondents. A standardized interview protocol
ensured consistency in data collection. The study employed a purposive sampling
method to target individuals meeting predefined criteria, supplemented by
convenience snowball sampling to enhance participant recruitment.

Ultimately, the findings will inform gender-responsive adaptations in HA centers,
promoting inclusivity and improving service accessibility for older adults of all
backgrounds. By integrating gender-sensitive perspectives, the study aims to enhance
participation rates and ensure that HA services are effectively tailored to meet the
diverse needs of aging populations in Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli and Shida Kartli regions.

Formal, Non-Formal and Mixed Care Models Challenges and Its Impact on Elderly Quality of Life and Psychological Well-being

Natia Lomtadze, — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0400

The presentation is based on a research study conducted in fulfillment of the
requirements for a Doctoral degree in Social Work. The academic supervisor is
Professor Shorena Sadzaglishvili of Ilia State University.

Relevance of the Issue: The doctoral thesis aims to study the impact of formal, informal,
and mixed forms of long-term care in Georgia on the quality of life of older people.
Georgia has been in the fourth phase of demographic transition since the 1990s,
characterized by a significant decrease in the birth rate that nearly equals the
mortality rate (Badashvili, 2015). According to data from the National Statistics Office
of Georgia, as of January 1, 2024, the proportion of older adults aged 65 and over
stands at 16.2%, marking an increase of 0.6% from the previous year (15.6%) (2023).
Population aging is critical for Georgia and many developed and developing countries

(UNDESA, 2024). According to the World Health Organization, the global proportion of
older individuals will rise from 12% in 2015 to 22% by 2050 (2024). This demographic
shift significantly amplifies the demand for formal and informal long-term care for
older adults (UNDESA, 2024). This study intends to examine how formal, informal,
and mixed care models in Georgia affect the quality of life of older people.

Formal care refers to paid services provided by medical institutions or trained
professionals, while informal care consists of unpaid assistance from family members,
close relatives, friends, or neighbors (Song, 2019). Mixed care combines elements of
both formal and informal care (Szenkurok, Weber, & Bilger, 2024).

In this study, formal care will focus on 24-hour institutions, informal care will involve
families where an older adult is cared for by a family member, and mixed care will
consist of older adults receiving care from a family member while also engaging in a
home care program.

Research Questions:

✔ What is the quality of life of elderly individuals in each form of care?
✔ What factors influence caregivers’ choices regarding the type of
care?
✔ How does the resilience of the elderly impact their quality of life?

Research Methodology: The study will employ mixed research methods, incorporating
quantitative and qualitative approaches. The elderly participants will be interviewed
using quantitative methods to assess their quality of life, utilizing Anna Bowling’s
Older People’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-35). Resilience will be measured
with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Additionally, in-depth interviews will be

conducted with family members of the elderly to understand the factors influencing
their choice of care.

Target Group: The study will focus on older adults in formal, informal, and mixed care
forms who require long-term care and have physical disabilities while retaining their
cognitive abilities to participate. One hundred fifty individuals will be interviewed,
with 50 older adults selected from each care form: women over 60, men over 65, and
their caregivers or family members, totaling 30 participants.

Limitations of the Research: This study is limited to older adults with intellectual
disabilities, as they must be able to participate actively and respond to the questions.
Identifying older individuals in informal care forms may also present specific
challenges.

Expected Results of the Study: The study aims to determine which formal, informal, and
mixed care models contribute to a dignified quality of life for older people. It will also
explore the role of resilience in enhancing this quality of life. Additionally, we seek to
uncover the factors that influence caregivers’ choices regarding the type of care
provided.

Challenges of Social Work Practice with Children and Families in Goergia

Salome Namitcheishvili, Nino Shatberashvili — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0400

The report presents a comprehensive analysis of the systems for delivering services to
children by various state agencies in Georgia. It includes the results of an assessment that focuses on the specifics of service delivery in social work with children and
families, as well as the systemic challenges and difficulties faced by social workers.
The purpose of the assessment is to improve the quality of social work. It contributes
to the development of social work practice in Georgia by addressing key issues such as
child care, child well-being, support for children and parents, and interagency
coordination. The assessment considered 23 criteria, defined based on international
experience and adapted to the local context. It is based on case studies, individual
interviews, and working meetings in both small and extended working group formats.
The assessment was conducted in 2024 as part of the European Union project
"Support to the Justice Sector Reform in Georgia."
Despite significant steps taken in recent years to develop child and family assessment
mechanisms in state agencies, strengthen practitioners' capacities, and improve
service delivery, the systems still face many recognized and unrecognized challenges.
Children often interact simultaneously with several state agencies, including those
responsible for child protection, family support, education, crime prevention, justice,
and more—at both state and municipal levels, as well as in the non-governmental
sector. Frequently, the same child becomes the subject of intervention by multiple
state bodies, which, instead of mobilizing support and resources in the best interests
of the child, hinders coordination and the provision of child-centered services. In
many cases, this can be overwhelming, confusing, and stressful for both the child and
the family. Furthermore, it leads to inefficient use of state and non-state resources.
In this process, the social worker plays a central role in planning and delivering child-
centered services. Social work should serve as the foundation for improved
interagency coordination and the provision of integrated support tailored to the
child’s needs. However, there are significant challenges in this area.

The report provides a critical analysis of the difficulties and challenges in social work
that arise during interactions with children and families. It raises several key issues
directly related to optimizing the implementation of social work, specifically:
The report reviews the main challenges and development needs of the assessment
process carried out with the involvement of social workers in the child protection
system. It emphasizes improving the quality of the assessment process and increasing
the engagement of the child as a client. It also examines state efforts aimed at
strengthening the role of the parent(s) as central and difficult-to-replace
actors—efforts that often fall short of achieving the desired goal: raising the child in a
safe and supportive family environment conducive to their development and well-
being.
The report highlights the need to strengthen the professional supervision system,
which would enhance assessment accuracy and ensure adherence to professional
standards. It underscores the necessity to improve the process of forming conclusions
from assessments and refine case management practices. Additionally, it discusses the
need for standardizing the description of interventions.
A significant emphasis is placed on promoting the protection of children's interests
and improving interagency cooperation. At the systemic level, the quality of child
interest protection remains below the desired standard, pointing to the need for
improved institutional and professional frameworks.
Special attention is given to the clear definition of the professional role of the social
worker, their involvement in systemic changes, and the bureaucratic barriers that
hinder the realization of their professional autonomy.

The presented findings and recommendations aim to optimize the social work system,
enhance child protection, and ensure the provision of high-quality services to
children.

The role of Social Work in Overcoming Psychosocial Problems in Retirement

Mariam Burjanadze — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0400

Menstrual Poverty Among Youth

Ana Tsirdava — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0400

The presentation is based on a research study conducted in fulfillment of the
requirements for a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. The academic supervisor is Nino
Shatberashvili, Associate Professor at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.

Menstrual poverty is not a standalone issue; it is a complex, large-scale challenge.
Today, approximately 500 million people with menstruation worldwide lack access to
menstrual products and sanitary facilities (Cardoso, 2021). Cultural stereotypes, social
taboos, inaccessible education, and poverty permeating society contribute to the
creation of menstrual poverty and complicate menstrual hygiene management for
women. In Georgia, menstrual poverty is an under-researched problem.

This qualitative study aims to explore the experiences and challenges of menstrual
poverty among young people living in Georgia and examine the role of social workers
in addressing menstrual poverty. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted using a
classic in-depth interview guide. The interview participants were young people aged
18-29, from both the capital city and various regions of Georgia.

Menstrual poverty among young people in Georgia was identified in all three forms
described in the classic definition. The high cost of hygiene products significantly
limits young people’s ability to purchase the desired products. For many respondents,
due to economic problems, purchasing hygiene products was inaccessible. Young
people are often forced to use alternative methods, such as cloth or handkerchiefs.

Formal education on menstruation exists in state-approved biology textbooks, but in
practice, these issues are rarely discussed in schools in the regions. Information
received from family members, primarily from mothers and grandmothers, is
minimal and leaves many open questions. Male family members do not participate in
the process of informing young people.

A problem of access to water and sanitation facilities was also identified among the
youth. The lack of water and hygiene products makes it impossible to maintain
menstrual hygiene at school.
Factors contributing to the spread of menstrual poverty in Georgia include the
stereotypes and myths surrounding menstruation, which are often based on religious
and cultural beliefs. Menstrual pain and its impact on daily life are not seriously
considered in society.

Government involvement in addressing menstrual poverty is almost nonexistent.
Based on the principles of social work, social workers have the potential to play a
crucial role in the fight against menstrual poverty. The formal inclusion of social
workers in schools presents a unique opportunity for them to empower both young
people and increase parents’ awareness, help eliminate stigmas and myths, and
advocate for addressing menstrual hygiene issues in schools, although there are no
examples of this practice in Georgia. Additionally, social workers can raise awareness
about the importance of menstrual hygiene management among policymakers.
Through this work, social workers will contribute not only to solving a specific
problem but also to achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals: Goal 1 - Ending all forms of poverty, Goal 3 - Good health and well-being, Goal 5
- Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, Goal 6 - Ensuringavailability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, Goal 8 -
Promoting decent work for all.