October 1 – Day of Older Persons
Every year on October 1, the Republic of Belarus celebrates the Day of Older Persons. This day is a sign of gratitude and respect for the older generation.
In Belarus, over the past 10 years, the number of citizens over 65 years of age has increased to 17% of the total population and today amounts to about 1.6 million people. More than 40 thousand people over the age of 90 live in the republic. There are 613 centenarians aged 100 years and older, of which 85% are women.
The protection of the rights and legitimate interests of older persons and ensuring active longevity are the most important components of the state social policy of the Republic of Belarus. A comprehensive document at the national level regarding older persons is the National Strategy of the Republic of Belarus “Active Longevity – 2030”, which defines priority areas of action in such areas of life as education and employment, healthcare and social services, and accessible living environment.
Thus, to meet the needs of elderly people in the Republic of Belarus:
- about 1.5 thousand people are involved in 140 older persons councils;
- the number of silver age volunteers is increasing – volunteer units unite more than 4.5 thousand older persons;
- more than 220 clubs organized to implement non-formal education programs, with approximately 3.6 thousand people studying in them;
- in order to emphasize the responsibility of current generations to older persons and to assess their contribution to the development of the state, the annual republican campaign “Respect. Care. Responsibility” is held;
- the pension system functions stably;
- created comfortable working conditions for older persons after retirement – 21.5% of the total number of pensioners who have reached the generally established retirement age continue to work;
- for the first half of 2024, assistance was provided in finding employment for about 700 citizens of pre-retirement age and about 2.6 thousand citizens of retirement age;
- 146 territorial social service centers and 81 social boarding houses operate and cover more than 170 older persons and people with disabilities;
- support measures are being strengthened for veterans of the Great Patriotic War and other categories affected by the consequences of the war;
- provides health resort treatment and health improvement for older persons and people with disabilities.
Among the promising areas for implementing state social policy towards older persons, were noted: the development of infrastructure, information and digital environments, the introduction of a long-term medical and social care system for maximum preservation of the family and home environment, as well as changes in the information agenda.
Creating comfortable conditions for the full and comprehensive participation of older persons in the life of society contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
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