Public services for older adults in Russia: problems and opportunities Authors: Minnigaleeva Gulnara Khizhnyakova Irina National Research University -

Public services for older adults Public services for older adults in Russia:in Russia:

problems and opportunities problems and opportunities

Authors: Minnigaleeva GulnaraKhizhnyakova Irina

National Research University - Higher School of Economics

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

www.hse.ru

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

BackgrouBackgroundnd

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World statistics:

•about 516 million people over 65 in the world

•1 billion and 300 million people over 65 is predicted till 2040

Russian statistics:

•21.6 % of Russia’s population are senior citizens (30.7 million people)

•predicted proportion of elder citizens in Russia till 2031 is betwee 28.6% and 29%

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

BackgrouBackgroundnd

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•Number of senior citizens is growing constantly in the whole world and in Russia in particular

• It actualizes idea of active and healthy ageing

• Senior citizens in Russia should have opportunities for work, self-improving and self-fulfillment

But are there opportunities for active and healthy ageing in Russia?

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

ObjectiveObjectivess

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Main questions of research are:

1.Does the current city environment and quality of public services provide opportunities for personal fulfillment and quality life for older people?

2.What are the best practices for city improvement for the elderly in Russia and abroad and how can they be used in other cities?

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Sources of information:Sources of information:

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•Research project of National Research University Higher School of Economics “Creating conditions for realization of the social potential of older adults at municipal level”

•Global Age-friendly Cities Project of World Health Organization

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Sources of information:Sources of information:

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Report discusses findings from:

•the survey of over 900 older citizens

•over 40 interviews with the employees of governmental and nongovernmental organizations

•in 8 Russian cities different in size, regional and ethnic specifics, and level of involvement of older adults.

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

List of cities:List of cities:

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Moscow Saint Petersburg OryolTuymazyNovokuznetskUfaKazanProkopyevsk

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Research design:Research design:

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Research based on the Age-Friendly Cities approach of World Health Organization and explores 8 areas:

outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, civic participation and employment, respect and social inclusion, communication and information, community and health services.

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Outdoor spaces and Outdoor spaces and buildings:buildings:

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Statistics:•only 25 - 35% suppose that there are enough comfortable places for sitting in parks and public gardens

•46% of respondents consider that buildings have well discernible house numbers and indexes.

•18-30% of respondents consider that elevators and stairs are convenient for senior citizens with disabilities

•48% interviewed senior citizens think that streets and buildings are maintained clean

Main problems:Largely unfriendly, not accessible urban environment

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Transportation:Transportation:

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Statistics:•51% of respondents consider transport fare too high

•72% don’t like the fact that there are no special places for senior passengers

•78% don’t consider public transport available

Main problems:Despite of senior citizens’ privileges in public transport cost of transportation is still too high for significant groups of elder people.

There are seats designated for elder citizens in public transport but the rule is often abused

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

HousingHousing

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Statistics:•48% of respondents don’t consider their housing good and safe

•only 32% of respondents say that their places of living are maintained in good condition by housing services

Main problems:Significant part of senior citizens is not satisfied with the conditions of their housing and the maintenance services available.

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Social participationSocial participation

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Statistics:•only 19% of respondents consider that there are a lot of opportunities for older citizens to participate in volunteer activities

•only 10% of interviewed senior citizens say that elder volunteers are provided with trainings and compensation for personal expenses 

Main problems:There are few opportunities for participation in social activities. Senior people willing to contribute to society through volunteering do not have enough support to do that

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Civic participation and Civic participation and employmentemployment

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Statistics:•Only 9 % of respondents consider that heads of city services consider senior citizens’ opinion and take into account senior dwellers’ interests. •only 5 -12 % of respondents suppose that senior citizens have wide range of opportunities for employment

•only 12% of interviewed suppose that there are no discrimination against older people on workplaces

Main problems:The problem of discrimination at work is very sharp. Senior citizens have few opportunities to use their work potential in full

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Respect and social Respect and social inclusioninclusion

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Statistics:•13 -24 % of respondents suppose that image of an elder person is positive and free from stereotypes

•Less than 24% of respondents suppose that they have a lot of opportunities for social inclusion.

Main problems:Absence of wide range of opportunities for social inclusion. The image of older people is largely negative Lack of communication and places for socialization leads to exclusion of senior citizens, especially those with disabilitiesMass-media doesn’t take into account interests of senior dwellers so elder people suffer from lack of information relevant and interesting for them

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Communication and Communication and informationinformation

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Statistics:•More than 70% of respondents say that TV, radio and newspapers are available in all parts of the cities•52% of respondents suppose that all official information is presented in clear and intelligible form. •only 32% consider that public and commercial services provide senior citizens with clear information about their opportunities•only 41% suppose that mass media take into account interests of older citizens.

Main problems Problems in this area don’t seem to be as pertinent as in others. But lack of information about opportunities lead to problems in other areas

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Community and health Community and health servicesservices

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Statistics:•Less than 35% suppose that senior dwellers are provided with wide range of medical and social services•Only 20% say that senior dwellers have complete and clear information about their opportunities to get medical or social help•Only 18% suppose that there are good conditions for volunteers’ help to elder citizens.

Main Problems: Lack of information about available social and medical services. Poor range and low quality of free (guaranteed by the government) social and medical help.

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Other problems:Other problems:

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• Lack of communication between different organizations which help senior citizens. It results in inefficient work of such organizations

• Now many services are electronic, but use of Internet is still a big challenge for many senior citizens.

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Conclusion:Conclusion:

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Main problems:• Government has no unified strategy for senior citizens. Emphasis of social policy is on youth and children

•Senior citizens are not provided with clear and readily available information about their rights and opportunities

•There is a problem of discrimination at work

•There are no effective connection between government and non-government organizations

•Senior citizens suffer from lack of communication

Higher School of Economics , Moscow, 2011

Conclusion:Conclusion:

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Some ideas for improvement:•Universities of Third Age have been very popular with the older citizens and are easy to organize

•Government and nonprofit organizations should pay special attention to establishment and improvement of communications between each other

•Senior citizens should be taught how to use internet. It helps to solve several problems at once:internet provides senior citizens with actual information internet is an place for socialization and connectionvia internet senior citizens can use a lot of services – for example housing payment

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