Senior Citizen Policy at Local Level

One of the panels on the second day of the 8th European Congress of Local Governments was the panel entitled ‘Senior Citizens’ Policy in Local Governments’, moderated by Łukasz Salwarowski (Editor-in-Chief of Głos Seniora magazine). Panellists included Małgorzata Borczyk (Executive Director of the Sądecka Foundation), Dariusz Kozłowski (Head of Telatyn Commune), Elżbieta Lanc (Member of the Management Board of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship), Wojciech Ślefarski (Head of Zagnańsk Commune), Ewa Mróz (Cooperation and Marketing Director, Origin Investments), Elżbieta Ostrowska (President of the Polish Association of Retired Persons, Pensioners and Invalids).

The moderator began with a short presentation. He stated that the activation of seniors is very important because in a few decades about 40% of the Polish population will be seniors. Unfortunately, after the outbreak of the pandemic, many institutions dealing with seniors closed down and not all of them reopened. According to research, about 1 million Polish pensioners belong to various associations.

Małgorzata Borczyk presented her knowledge of third age universities. She noted that the term seniors is very broad, they are people between the ages of 65 and 100. The creation of an appropriate senior policy requires government assistance. It is important to remember that older people alone will not get out of the house. They need to be reached with appropriate activities and actions.

Dariusz Kozłowski talked about his municipality’s experience in activating senior citizens. He boasted that he had managed to raise money for activities for pensioners. There are regular swimming pool classes or dance courses. Such initiatives are appreciated not only by senior citizens, but also by ordinary residents. In addition to events dedicated to seniors, older people should participate in every event in the municipality. This is also an element of activation.

Elżbieta Lanc noted that the Mazovia region is very diverse. Seniors in Warsaw and in smaller towns and villages function in a completely different way. The local government has set up a special council for senior citizens’ policy. Tournaments and sports competitions for seniors (e.g. running) are organised. Grants are being set up in many areas. Their main aim is to support seniors in health-promoting issues. There are also social economy activities. Some courses dedicated to pensioners teach them online safety. There is also a support system for village housewives’ circles.

Wojciech Ślefarski told about his municipality, which is located near Kielce. His local government has a complex senior citizen policy. An ‘informal’ seniors’ club has been set up in a former primary school building. Maintenance costs are split equally between the municipality and the seniors. It organises events and carries out integration activities. The municipality has natural advantages, which has made it possible to organise ‘senior walks’. This is a regular event in which around 400 people participated last year. The development is therefore noticeable. Another goal is to establish a third age university in the municipality, but this is currently too ambitious a project to realise.

Ewa Mróz represented the business sector in the discussion. She stated that senior citizenship policy, in order to be effective, must be developed in cooperation with business. An ageing population has an impact on market fluctuations and businesses recognise this. Origin Investments is promoting the idea of ‘active ageing’. So-called assisted living facilities for the elderly are being built. Seniors can live in them completely independently. They can be owned outright or rented out. Such facilities are extremely safe for older people. In each building, there is a common area where seniors can socialise and play games or watch films. The aim is also that medical and therapeutic services are also quickly and easily accessible.

Elżbieta Ostrowska is the chairperson of the largest and oldest organisation supporting pensioners in Poland. Her association is a senior citizens’ community in a nutshell. The association is made up of people of varying levels of wealth and education. The association is active in two main fields: firstly, activating seniors, and secondly, making space in the public opinion available for older people. It is important to remember that it is not only the elderly who need the help of the young, but also the younger ones who need contact with the elderly. The union has an extensive network on the ground. Very often, union representatives cooperate with local authorities. In most cases the cooperation is very smooth, although there are some negative cases.