SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY IN POLAND - IN SEARCH OF NEW SOLUTIONS IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Abstract

According to the Central Statistical Office data, the share of older people, i.e., aged 60 years and more in the total of Polish population will be over 32% in 2060. Thus there is a necessity for actions aimed at supporting older citizens who require various support, depending on their health status, psycho-physical condition and individual needs. The spectrum of activities for older people should be wide and differentiated due to the internal diversity of the aging population. The purpose of the article is to deliberate strategic assumptions and examples of actions implemented in local communities, such as community-based services offered by the social assistance system, in the context of deinstitutionalization process. The article presents selected results of the latest work of the Institute of Labour and Social Affairs conducted within the project entitled "Development and pilot implementation of mechanisms and plans for the deinstitutionalisation of social services”, carried out jointly with the Ministry of Family and Social Policy.