MINSK, 19 September (BelTA) – By 2030, the share of seniors will exceed 27% of the total population in Belarus, Deputy Labor and Social Security Minister Aleksandr Rumak said at the the nationwide conference on integrated home care services for seniors in Minsk on 19 September, BelTA has learned.
"Belarus, just like our neighboring countries and EU states are facing the long-term accelerating population aging process. There were more than 2 million people over 60 in Belarus at the beginning of 2019, which accounted for approximately 22% of the total population, up from 19.4% in 2012. Demographic projections suggest that by 2030, the share of this category of people will increase to 27%. This raises the need to improve the social services system,” Alexander Rumak said.
Support of older persons means, first and foremost, social services. At the same time, health condition and the ability to look after themselves differ from person to person. Therefore, every person requires an individual approach. Sometimes it is enough to help clean up and deliver groceries and medicine. Others need constant care. Such cases require integrated care, in other words both social services and medical assistance.
The deputy minister highlighted that the participation of a third party, such as non-governmental organizations, is essential in the process of building the integrated care system. “We welcome anyone entering the social services market. We lay no claim to primacy. We should all join together to develop an assistance model that will be suitable for our country,” he noted.
