Aging Policies in Contemporary Russia: Active Longevity, Extended Employment, and the Long-Term Care System

The report will present an overview of the transformation of aging policy in Russia over the past 20 years. In the 2000s, the approach to aging and older adults in Russia underwent significant changes, reflecting global trends in demographic aging and the necessity for social policy adaptation. Initially, the focus was on a traditional model where older individuals were primarily viewed as recipients of social assistance. However, with the increasing number of older citizens and a shift in societal perceptions regarding their role in the community, transformations began to align with the concept of active longevity. This concept advocates for creating conditions that promote healthy and active aging, including employment programs and initiatives aimed at engaging older adults in public life.

The raising of the retirement age and the development of retraining programs (including those under the "Demography" project) aim to extend employment opportunities for older individuals. Furthermore, the development of a long-term care system (LTC) is intended to address the shortage of specialized assistance, particularly in contexts characterized by infrastructural deficits. Nevertheless, the implementation of this system faces challenges related to resource scarcity and insufficient coordination among various levels of government. As a result, despite positive shifts in the perception of older adults as active members of society, there remains a critical need for further enhancement of state policy to ensure a comprehensive approach to issues surrounding aging and long-term care.

The research was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation № 24-78-10118 (https://rscf.ru/project/24-78-10118/).