Demographic ageing,health status and life quality of the elderly in Russia

Within the context of the national policy on the elderly,the paper presents trends in demographic ageing,health and life quality of the elderly in Russia.Social and political consequences of the XX century have resulted in significant fluctuations in the number of individual generations,forming a long-term fluctuating trend in demographic ageing in Russia.These historical disproportions have overlapped with regional variations in ageing rates due to significant inter-regional population movements,rural-urban migration,substantial gender differences in trends and scales of mortality and fertility dynamics.As a result,levels of demographic ageing in Russia vary more than three-fold,worsening in females and rural population.Ageingrelated problems are aggravated by unsatisfactory health status of the elderly,manifested in high burden of chronic diseases(especially cardiovascular diseases),leading to life restrictions up to loss of the ability to self-care.High-tech cardiac surgery contributes to life prolongation and improved physical and psychological functioning.However,during rehabilitation,most patients are reluctant to change their unhealthy lifestyle associated with cardio pathology.Polymorbidity and psychoactive substance abuse(in males)are the risk factors of suicidal behaviour,while accessibility of medications,including sleeping pills,firearms,etc.contributes to realization of this risk.Living conditions of the elderly and their access to quality social services are important components of wellbeing in terms of health.Despite satisfactory living conditions,the situation significantly differs by type(urban/rural)and size of the settlement.Maintaining microsocial contacts with children,family and friends is a powerful source of psychological comfort and social wellbeing.