Smolensk region celebrated the International Day of Older Persons

Worldwide, October 1 is the day of special attention and respect for the citizens of venerable age. It is a good and bright holiday when we give our warmth and care to old ladies and gentlemen. The Smolensk State Institute of Arts hosted an event dedicated to the International Day of Older Persons. The Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy greeted the participants.

Today's celebration, which was attended by more than 300 senior citizens from all the districts of Smolensk region, is held in accordance with the regional state program "Social support of citizens living on the territory of Smolensk region" for 2014-2016.

At present, the territory of Smolensk region is home for over 258,000 people older than the working age. In the region there are social service organizations which operate consistently and provide specialized aid to more than 1.5 thousand pensioners. Eleven general boarding houses, eight neuropsychiatric boarding houses, the Center for social adaptation of persons without a certain residence and employment, the specialized boarding house for the elderly and married couples of the elderly age, the Gerontology Center create the necessary conditions for providing proper care and health rehabilitation to the elderly, as well as solve the problem of loneliness of pensioners.

In addition, two more boarding houses are being built in the Novoduginsky district. In the future, these two institutions will allow to avoid social tensions and will improve the quality of services provided to senior citizens and the disabled.

The Head of the region Alexey Ostrovskiy warmly greeted the participants, noting that particular attention should be given to senior citizens not only on this day: "The people of a younger age should always remember about the Day of Older Persons, not only on October 1. We must honor and respect you, the older generation, whom we owe so much. First of all, we owe our lives to those who fought in the Great Patriotic War for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. I believe that each of us, every official, regardless of our age, must always remember that one day we too will become older persons. And we will be concerned about the same problems and issues that now are worrying you, and we, the regional authorities, are trying to solve. I wish the state and the authorities would have more opportunities to give you what you have earned with many years of hard work in teaching, medicine and agriculture. I wish your children and grandchildren would take care of you as well as you have cared for them all your lifetime".

25 older persons were awarded with the Letters of Appreciation from the Social Development Department of Smolensk region for their active participation and fruitful commitment to the social sphere of our region.

The event ended with a festive concert, after which the older people received gift sets.