Approaches to policy regarding elderly people in Ukraine in the context of European integration

Abstract

Backgraund: Ukraine's European integration course conditions the convergence of Ukraine's social policies with the European Union. The signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU caused the further reform of the state policy regarding the elderly. Changes in approaches to policy regarding the elderly in Ukraine are due to the transformation of relevant approaches in the European Union. Purpose: justify changes in policy approaches to the elderly in Ukraine in the context of European integration. Methods: method of analysis, method of traditional document analysis, content analysis were used. Conclusion: In the context of the European integration process in Ukraine, there are changes in the approaches to the state policy regarding the elderly. This proves the transition from passive forms of policy regarding the elderly (guardianship, social protection, social assistance) to active forms of combating the aging of the population of Ukraine (active aging policy) - increasing the retirement age, stimulating the continuation of work, increasing the level of employment of persons under the age of 64 years old, promoting volunteer activities. In the information space, approaches to older people are changing – from a "used resource" to a social resource. The principle of sustainable development (mutual responsibility of generations) becomes a component of the state policy regarding the elderly. Keywords: approaches to social policy, state policy regarding the elderly in Ukraine, elderly people, active aging, social resource, sustainable development, European integration.