20.12.2017

According to Labour Ministry experts, assisted living as an alternative to in-patient care will enable disabled people to make the most of their independence. In-patient social service care involves the provision of social and educational services, as well as rehabilitation treatment for disabled people.

The Ministry proposes providing joint assisted residential care for a disabled person or small groups of disabled people in separate accommodation on the understanding that it is owned by a disabled person or in living quarters within social service institutions or State and municipal housing charities. This would be organised by NGOs that offer psychological, educational, legal, medical or social assistance.

Assisted living will help disabled people lead an independent life, as well as maintaining and enhancing their self-help skills.  Where necessary, they must be allowed access to basic general, professional and further education in institutions close to where they are based, as well as being able to study on an equal footing with able-bodied people.

The Ministry’s recommendations reflect the views of experts, as well as of the Agency of Strategic Initiatives, the Federation’s Public Chamber, together with federal and regional authorities.

Assisted residential care for disabled people is currently provided in 21 Russian regions. For example, social hostels have been established in Vologda, social flats in St Petersburg, social communities in Trans-Baikal and specialist departments in social service organisations in Sverdlovsk.

An extra 4.3 billion roubles will be set aside next year for the care of seriously ill people in Russia, with money used to provide them with medicines and medical equipment, some of which can be used in the home. This was announced by Vladimir Putin during a State awards ceremony for outstanding achievements in the field of human rights and charitable work. According to TASS, the Russian President said that “this funding will be provided on a regular basis and will increase gradually over the next few years”.

Source: https://www.asi.org.ru/news/2017/12/20/soprovozhdaemoe-prozhivanie/