Caring as we would like to be cared for

Caring for people is an issue that, despite being of great importance, is currently not given as much visibility as we would like. According to the latest data from the National Health Survey (2011- 2012), 45.5% of people over 65 years of age have some type of functional dependence, related to personal care, household chores and/or mobility. For people over 85 years of age, this figure rises to 85.0%.

The progressive aging of Spanish society makes it necessary to reflect on how to guarantee the care of the elderly in the near future, especially those who inevitably need to be cared for.

The recognition of the profound changes that are taking place in today's society are drawing a social scenario that makes it difficult for the care of the elderly to continue to be sustained entirely within the family environment and leads us to rethink how to facilitate a transfer of care that respects both the will of the caregiver and the person being cared for.

This project is the result of a broad participatory action-research process, promoted by Obra Social "la Caixa", and presents opinions, perceptions and social representations on care and dependence in the field of aging.

Methodology
The reflection process integrates different methodological techniques, qualitative and quantitative, for the collection and analysis of information:

• Qualitative study "Care in dependency relationships".
• Documentary review on aging and care.
• In-depth interviews with experts and professionals.
• Survey on preferences and expectations of priests.
• Workshops with professionals involved in the attention and care of the elderly.