2024-07-07 22:14:19
In the opinion of the authors of the draft law, it is necessary to have one legal act in Lithuania that covers the entire policy of the elderly. When preparing the document, the parliamentarians relied on, in their opinion, the successfully functioning Youth Policy Framework Law.
The registered draft law aims to start formulating the policy of the elderly, to instill in the society the understanding that the elderly cannot continue to be “requesters” or “supported” when fulfilling their needs.
The draft document also talks about the need to change society’s value attitudes, about a culture of positive relationships focused on older people, fostering their positive image in society.
Elderly person, according to the proposed project, a person over 60 years old (countable). The parliamentarians declare their desire to create conditions for dignified, active and healthy aging, to ensure opportunities for seniors to participate in economic and cultural life, to strengthen social inclusion, and to encourage their participation in decision-making related to them.
The law plans to oblige state and municipal institutions to promote the participation of older people in society, community life, and self-help initiatives. It is also promised to strengthen intergenerational solidarity, to support voluntary activities in order to avoid loneliness and isolation of older people.
It is proposed to orient the policy for the elderly in 8 directions. These are education and learning, health care, social care, employment, adaptation of housing and environment, culture, transport, personal safety.
If the Seimas approves, the state and municipal institutions will have to take steps “in order to ensure a stable income for the elderly, which is necessary to meet their most important needs and allows them to live a fulfilling life, without degrading their dignity.” It will also be necessary to develop the infrastructure of social services, to ensure their quality and availability.
The policy for the elderly will have to be implemented by the Seimas, the Government, ministries, and municipalities. A public advisory institution – the Council for the Affairs of Elderly People – would operate under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. It is proposed to be composed of state institutions, the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities, delegated representatives of elderly people and organizations working with them.
The procedure for establishing this council would be determined and the composition approved by the Minister of Social Security and Labor.
It is also proposed to establish councils for the affairs of the elderly in municipalities, which would make proposals regarding the implementation of the policy for the elderly and funding priorities. If the Seimas approves, the position of coordinator of elderly people’s affairs would also be established in municipal administrations. This job would be done by a civil servant of the municipal administration.
It is proposed that the Policy Framework for Older People Act come into force in 2025. January 1
It was prepared by members of the Seimas who worked in the working group, Silva Lengvinienė, Edmundas Pupinis, Andrius Navickas, Kęstutis Vilkauskas, Tomas Tomilinas, Vilija Targamadzė, Eugenijus Jovaiša, Arūnas Valinskas.
ELTA reminds that on June 24 parliamentarians rejected the proposal of social democrat Kęstutis Vilkauskas to establish a permanent commission for the affairs of elderly people in the Seimas. According to him, older people face various problems such as social exclusion, discrimination, poverty, poor health and lack of services.
Members of the Seimas who opposed the project claimed that the problems of the elderly are solved by the Ministry of Social Security and Labor (SADM), the Social Affairs and Labor Committee of the Seimas.
According to the data of the State Data Agency, in 2023 there were over 600,000 persons aged 65 and older in Lithuania.
2024-07-07 22:14:19