ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology Volume 6 Number 1 1 of 14 Later Life In Estonia: Satisfaction With Life And Intergenerational Support V Laidmäe, L Hansson, P Leppik, T Tulva, E Lausvee Citation V Laidmäe, L Hansson, P Leppik, T Tulva, E Lausvee. Later Life In Estonia: Satisfaction With Life And Intergenerational Support. The Internet Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology. 2009 Volume 6 Number 1. Abstract Background: In the coming years Estonian society is facing great challenges related to the ageing of the population. In this context the knowledge on how older people cope with their life and on social support networks between generations is of vital importance.Objectives: The aim of the article is to analyse the functioning of networks based on family relations in Estonia. The data is derived from the survey of Estonian population “Estonia 2003” carried out by the family sociologists of the Tallinn University (the sample comprised of 1,558 people aged 15 to 69). From the total sample a group of older respondents (55 to 69 years of age) was separated for the purpose of the current analysis. Results: The data indicates that in spite of some shortages in coping with their daily life, like health complaints and economic constraints, older people still have a positive attitude and are satisfied with various areas of their life in Estonia. Compared to other domains of life, the assessment of economic situation is the lowest: only 37 per cent of respondents were satisfied with it. It is therefore important for the older people to have a job. Employed persons are able to cope better, which also improves their self-esteem and reduces the level of stress. However, many healthy persons (46 per cent) in this age group who are actively employed are afraid that they might be excluded from the working life.Older people are more satisfied with their family life than other age groups in Estonia and we can observe close relationships of mutual support between generations. The majority (92-93 per cent) of people between 55 to 69 years of age are satisfied with their relations with their adult children. INTRODUCTION While analysing changes confronting us in the 21st century, researchers emphasise that the principal events will take place in the demographic sphere. Namely, the proportion of elderly people will gradually exceed the number of younger ones, and among the older population there will be an increase of the oldest old. These changes will affect all aspects of human life – the composition of a family, living conditions and social support as well as economic activities, employment and social insurance (1). The society shapes age models on which the well-being of elderly people depends Research studies indicate that most people know very little about old age and most have wrong, stereotypical and negative perceptions termed Agism. Old age is described as process of degeneration, a voyage towards the inutility, unproductivenes, etc. (2). There are also positive references in the literature towards old age and aging. Saying such as: „elderly people have more free time on their hands”, „they are good hearted”, „they give presents and pamper” (3). Although studies show that the later phase of life can be healthy, productive and filled with satisfaction with life, still ageism and fear for ageing is a widespread phenomenon (4). Vikström (2001) emphasises that also the market economy policy and the liberalist ideology contain a negative attitude towards elderly people, relating them to the notion of “a person with a minus sign”. Economic thinking is decisive and people are assessed on the basis of their success, usefulness and money. In that kind of thinking everything acquires a market price, including people, and therefore the elderly, especially the sick and the disabled people, acutely feel that they are useless, valueless and not needed (5). Old age as a part of human lifespan has been reassessed: it is no longer viewed as a miserable stage of life and negative attitude towards ageing and old age has been substituted by the concept of ageing well, according to which old age has its choices and alternatives. Several studies (e.g. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9) have been published, including those of Estonian researchers (11), where the keywords include successful, new, productive, resourceful, creative, positive, healthy ageing.