SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OF THE ELDERLY

Abstract

The world tendencies of population aging, international and domestic practices of adaptation of the socio-economic environment to the deformation of the age structure of the population in the context of social responsibility are highlighted. The effects of population aging on the country's economy are substantiated. Emphasis is placed on changing economic activities, services, medicine, education, labor market, social sphere, tax system. The importance of socio-economic activation of the elderly population of Ukraine in the conditions of demographic crisis and increase of life expectancy are proved.
 The world and national normative documents in the aspect of formation of socio-economic strategies, policies, practical activities of governments to minimize the present and future consequences of population aging have been studied.
 The domestic practices of social activation of the elderly are considered. Over the past decade, many social projects have been implemented in Ukraine within the cooperation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and international foundations to enhance the participation of elderly people in the society. In particular, recreational centers, Universities of the third age and individual training courses have been created, forums and festivals are being held, volunteering is being developed. However, the coverage of elderly people by project activity in this area is low. Social projects are mainly concentrated in large cities and level of awareness of available opportunities is quite low.
 The main aspects of social integration of the elderly are analyzed on the example of the rural population of Skolivshchyna (Skole district). The results of the sociological survey show that most elderly people consider themselves to be needed and important to the community. The activity of the elderly is low: 7 % of respondents consider themselves to be inactive, 56 % are less active, 32 % are more active, and only 5 % consider themselves unambiguously active. The motivation factors for the inclusion of elderly people in public activities are the need to be in the team (35 %), the need for socially important activities (28 %), the unwillingness to stay at home (11 %), the need for self-actualization (8 %).
 The ways of increasing social responsibility in the direction of social integration of the elderly in Ukraine are suggestedin order to adapt the socio-economic sphere to the trends of population aging.