Innovative forms of care for the elderly in rural areas in Poland

Population ageing is a process that most European countries, including Poland, have faced. It is necessary to apply a different approach to the problem of old age in the city and in the countryside, due to the diversity of both environments. It is predicted that in rural areas in Poland, the number of people over 65 will increase by almost 60% by 2035, and their percentage in the total population from the current 14% to 22%. In connection with these demographic changes, new challenges will appear for the social security system. First of all, the demand for social assistance and health care will increase. In order to limit the consequences of this phenomenon, it is necessary to take actions aimed at maintaining social and professional activity and improving the quality of life of people over 60. The aim of the article is to identify new and innovative organizational solutions that support older people with limited independence in the countryside and maintain their activity, as well as provide them with a good quality of life. The authors have presented in detail two non-standard solutions for dealing with the problems of an ageing society. These are care farms and rural home hospices that operate in rural areas in Poland.