SOCIAL PROTECTION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE AND SINGLE ELDERLY PEOPLE DURING THE WAR IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines the specific features of the social protection system for older persons and single elderly individuals in Ukraine under martial law. It is substantiated that the full-scale war has significantly exacerbated existing structural problems in the social sphere, including insufficient funding, limited accessibility of services at the community level, and the dominance of institutional care models. It is determined that older persons belong to the most vulnerable social groups due to a combination of demographic, medical, and socio-economic factors, which, under wartime conditions, leads to increased risks of poverty, social exclusion, and deterioration of health. The regulatory and legal framework of social protection for older persons is analyzed, including constitutional guarantees, sectoral legislation, and by-laws governing the provision of social services. The roles of key institutions at the national, regional, and local levels are identified, as well as the growing importance of territorial communities in ensuring access to social support. Particular attention is paid to the institutional care sector, including residential care facilities, geriatric institutions, and territorial social service centers. The main challenges in the functioning of the social protection system during the war are identified, including security risks, limited access to healthcare services, staff shortages, disruption of material and technical supply, and insufficient interagency coordination. It is proven that the reduction in the number of institutions and their residents does not indicate a decrease in the need for social protection but reflects a transformation of care models and a partial shift of responsibility to families and communities. The study substantiates the need to transform the social protection system through the development of community-based services, the implementation of an integrated cross-sectoral approach, and the strengthening of partnerships between public authorities and non-governmental organizations. A transition toward a hybrid model of social services is proposed, combining institutional and non-institutional forms of support, taking into account the needs of older persons in crisis conditions.