Round Table on Senior Citizen Support in Odesa

In Odesa, a round table titled «Unity for a Dignified Old Age» was held in honor of the International Day of Older Persons.

The primary aim of this event was to raise awareness about the pressing issues affecting the elderly and to unite the efforts of government representatives and the community to find effective solutions for improving the lives of seniors.

The round table was organized by the Caritas Odesa UGCC in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Social Policy of the Odesa City Council.

Among the participants were Veronica Etnarovych, advisor to the Mayor of Odesa on social and humanitarian issues, and representatives from local institutions and NGOs focused on social services.

Olena Kytainska, the director of the department, emphasized that the current social policy is aimed at expanding the rights of older persons, integrating them into community life, and ensuring quality living standards at any age.

Participants discussed several important topics:

• social support for the elderly in Odesa;
• results of a survey identifying the key needs of older citizens;
• challenges faced by seniors during wartime;
• the situation of internally displaced persons requiring home care services;
• providing dignified care for the elderly.

The event served as a platform for exchanging ideas and best practices between local authorities and the civil sector.

At the end of the round table, the participants discussed the prospects for improving cooperation in the field of social services.

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The International Day of Older Persons was established by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 1990, to enhance the protection of the rights and dignity of older people, as well as to raise awareness of the issues of aging and their solutions.