Paper short abstract:

Based on ethnographic research the paper presents a case study of a senior centre in Bratislava. Its closure and replacement by a crèche triggered a for the Slovak environment unprecedented reaction of ageivistic activities (Doron 2018) initiated by its senior clients and community concerned.

Paper long abstract:

The paper presents a case study of a senior centre in Bratislava, where I conducted ethnographic research: participant observation and in-depth interviews with the clients, their family members, personnel and broader community of neighbours (2017 - 2020). Its closure and replacement by a crèche reveal many characteristic features of development in society in nowadays Slovakia: the younger generation's lack of interest in life in old age, negative public discourse related to the "war of generations" (Johnson et al. 1989), existing ageist stereotypes and the tendency of the decision-makers to decide about the seniors' matters without their participation. For more than twenty years of its existence (1994 - 2017), the senior centre has provided its clients with a home-like environment, care and meaningful activities, as well as social contacts outside their relatives. It enabled seniors to function according to the then-unknown concept of ageing in place. In 2017, the report on plans for its abolition triggered a for the Slovak environment unprecedented reaction initiated by the senior clients and the community concerned. First in the form of a meeting with the mayor, later in the form of a petition and finally, a demonstration organised by the senior clients, their relatives and members of the neighbourhood community. Their efforts were not successful. Nonetheless, the community continues with their ageivistic activities (Doron 2018) at the level of the symbolic community (Cohen 1985), due to the pandemic often even in the virtual world (e.g. dancing circles etc.).