Labor Ministry: Personal care is provided to nearly all the elderly Belarusians who need it
13.07.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – Nearly all the elderly people, who need it, get personal care. Nikolai Orel, Deputy Head of the Social Support, Guardianship and Custody Office of the Belarusian Labor and Social Protection Ministry, mentioned it in a recent episode of BelTA’s project The Nation Speaks.
According to UN data, if over 7 % of the population in a specific country is over 65 years old, then the state is considered aging. “We have over 18 %. It is a world trend and a common European one. This is why the state takes all the measures bearing in mind these demographic trends in order to be ready and for the ever growing number of the elderly to get adequate support measures for a comfortable life at their age. One of these measures is a system to provide social services. Support for domicile care is the main trend that is being implemented in practice. After all, even walls are helpful at home,” Nikolai Orel noted.
This personal care was brought about once the new law on social services was adopted. “It is a long-term care system. It primarily caters to Great Patriotic War veterans. In the past a social worker would come separately from a medical worker and each would do their job. As part of the long-term care system they work together. The district has a commission that works out a custom program for every person. It includes medical and social aspects. Apart from that, we help the relatives that provide care. Unlike more western countries where, as they say about the United States of America, every second elderly person ends up in the nursing home, the majority of our elderly are taken care of by relatives, family members, children and grandchildren. But they need to be trained. It is very important. This is why we are now developing this area,” the official said.
This personal care covers virtually everyone who needs it. “All the Great Patriotic War veterans get the necessary forms of services. Some of them stay in social boarding houses. Some get services from social workers. Relatives take care of some and benefits are paid. In other words, there are various ways. The social protection of those, who forged the Victory and built the independent and sovereign Belarus, is the key indicator of our maturity as a society and a nation,” he concluded.
According to UN data, if over 7 % of the population in a specific country is over 65 years old, then the state is considered aging. “We have over 18 %. It is a world trend and a common European one. This is why the state takes all the measures bearing in mind these demographic trends in order to be ready and for the ever growing number of the elderly to get adequate support measures for a comfortable life at their age. One of these measures is a system to provide social services. Support for domicile care is the main trend that is being implemented in practice. After all, even walls are helpful at home,” Nikolai Orel noted.
This personal care was brought about once the new law on social services was adopted. “It is a long-term care system. It primarily caters to Great Patriotic War veterans. In the past a social worker would come separately from a medical worker and each would do their job. As part of the long-term care system they work together. The district has a commission that works out a custom program for every person. It includes medical and social aspects. Apart from that, we help the relatives that provide care. Unlike more western countries where, as they say about the United States of America, every second elderly person ends up in the nursing home, the majority of our elderly are taken care of by relatives, family members, children and grandchildren. But they need to be trained. It is very important. This is why we are now developing this area,” the official said.
This personal care covers virtually everyone who needs it. “All the Great Patriotic War veterans get the necessary forms of services. Some of them stay in social boarding houses. Some get services from social workers. Relatives take care of some and benefits are paid. In other words, there are various ways. The social protection of those, who forged the Victory and built the independent and sovereign Belarus, is the key indicator of our maturity as a society and a nation,” he concluded.