摘要：AbstractDemographic changes in many European countries show a strong process of ageing societies. The situation proves the urgent need for action to the elderly population, the effect of which would be to improve the senior citizens’ quality of life not only by creating a framework for a medical care and support but also through the emotional support and promotion of active ageing. The concept goes beyond the purpose of preventing the disease in the elderly population; it seeks instead to mobilizing and optimizing the functioning of the social group in the physical, psychological and social, as well as technological spheres. Hence, the development of a professional caregiver of an elderly person is one of the challenges of a modern world. The paper is based on the research conducted by the EduCare Project team in several focus groups from Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain, in order to identify the main competencies, skills and experiences expected from a caregiver and consequently to create a profile of a new carer for a new millennium. The method chosen for the research was focus groups with 6 to 12 participants. The qualitative analysis was conducted on the data gained from about 132 people, put in three groups of interest: trainers of elderly caregivers, elderly caregivers and elderly people. The focus groups interviews were conducted with use of a set of open-ended questions that explored the perception of all the groups in relation to research objectives. The paper defines and exemplifies what is expected from the “new carer”, describes main difficulties in taking up and performing the role of a carer and presents a strategy of creating a proper relation on the “new carer” - “new senior citizen” level. The authors describe the favourable competences and skills needed for the carer's role. The research revealed the need of creating professional courses for “new carers”, and also creating and using community forms of caregivers’ support.
