Ivanova, A., Zemlyanova, E., Sabgayda, T. et al. Demographic ageing, health status and life quality of the elderly in Russia. China popul. dev. stud. (2023). https: ...

Abstract

Within the context of the national policy on the elderly, the paper presents trendsin demographic ageing, health and life quality of the elderly in Russia. Social andpolitical consequences of the XX century have resulted in significant fluctuationsin the number of individual generations, forming a long-term fluctuating trend indemographic ageing in Russia. These historical disproportions have overlapped withregional variations in ageing rates due to significant inter-regional population move-ments, rural–urban migration, substantial gender differences in trends and scalesof mortality and fertility dynamics. As a result, levels of demographic ageing inRussia vary more than three-fold, worsening in females and rural population. Age-ing-related 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 cardiacsurgery contributes to life prolongation and improved physical and psychologicalfunctioning. However, during rehabilitation, most patients are reluctant to changetheir unhealthy lifestyle associated with cardio pathology. Polymorbidity and psy-choactive substance abuse (in males) are the risk factors of suicidal behaviour, whileaccessibility of medications, including sleeping pills, firearms, etc. contributes torealization of this risk. Living conditions of the elderly and their access to qualitysocial services are important components of wellbeing in terms of health. Despitesatisfactory living conditions, the situation significantly differs by type (urban/rural)and size of the settlement. Maintaining microsocial contacts with children, familyand friends is a powerful source of psychological comfort and social wellbeing.

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