Ukraine Studies Sweden’s Experience in Promoting Active Ageing

As part of the working visit to Sweden, the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, Denys Uliutin, together with Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and Swedish Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje, visited the specialized facility Stiftelsen Silviahemmet, established on the initiative of Queen Silvia to provide care for people with dementia.

The center serves as a model of compassionate and humane care, demonstrating that a high quality of life is possible even for those living with dementia. The foundation also provides training opportunities for nursing assistants, enabling them to enhance their qualifications and further share their knowledge and expertise.

Denys Uliutin noted that Ukraine is updating its Active Ageing Program, which includes disease prevention, modernization of the care system, and pension reform. A key priority is to develop community-oriented services — from home-based care and supported housing to the establishment of small facilities for people with high support needs, including those living with dementia.

“Our priority is to ensure a high quality of life for older people. Supporting active and dignified living for those with dementia requires a combination of physical activity, social engagement, and respectful care. We highly value the opportunity to learn from Sweden’s unique experience, which will help Ukraine build a modern care system centered on human dignity and quality of life,” said the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.

The Minister also presented Ukraine’s approach to pension reform, focused on fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

In addition, the parties discussed potential joint pilot projects, including the development of home care standards, the introduction of an emergency response system similar to Sweden’s “panic button,” the promotion of supported living, and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

It is worth noting that in May, the Swedish government announced an expansion of its support package in the social and healthcare sectors. To date, the total funding amounts to USD 7.2 million, of which USD 2.25 million has been allocated directly to support the reform of Ukraine’s social policy system.

Background: Ukraine is already implementing the Demographic Development Strategy of Ukraine until 2040 — a long-term policy document defining the key demographic challenges and threats to the country’s development, exacerbated by the Russian Federation’s armed aggression. The Strategy sets goals and objectives to overcome demographic challenges and address social and humanitarian issues, serving as a key indicator of Ukraine’s commitments under the EU’s Ukraine Facility initiative.

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