Vitebsk discussed issues of improving the quality of life for the elderly
A trilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of gerontology was signed in Vitebsk between the Committee for Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee, the Belarusian Republican Gerontological Public Association, and the Research Medical Center "Gerontology" (Moscow).
– If earlier we talked about our task being to increase life expectancy, then the next stage is to ensure that a person lives not only a long life, but also a full one, – noted Professor, Director of the Medical Center Kirill Proshchaev.
Vitebsk region has been chosen as an experimental platform, where the successful experience of other Slavic countries, including Russia and the Czech Republic, will be applied.
– A social worker, in addition to social and domestic services for the elderly, must be able to care for bedridden patients, engage in the prevention of hypomobility syndrome, loss of muscle mass, memory and attention disorders, falls, and so on, – added Kirill Ivanovich.
The number of elderly people is constantly increasing both in the country as a whole and in the region. As reported by Vera Astapenko, Head of the Department of Social Support for the Population and Stationary Institutions of the Committee, in the Pridvinye region, 347 thousand people are recipients of pensions – 28.9% of the total population of the Vitebsk region, and this project is created for them.
The work will be aimed at improving the health and quality of life of the elderly, improving the provision of assistance in the field of gerontology and geriatrics through joint scientific research, personnel training, and the implementation of modern technologies.
– We must unite our efforts in developing new educational and social programs in this area, – added the guest from Moscow, Associate Professor Irina Ponomareva.
Elena Alimova, "Vitebskiye Vesti"