YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. 1200 people live in 24/7 adult daycare centers in Armenia. 4000 people receive home care services and 2000 in daycare centers, Anahit Gevorgyan – official of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs told a press conference.

“The current social policy of the state aims at ensuring decent conditions for the elderly. For this purpose the state is actively cooperating with NGOs. Unfortunately, I have to say that elderly people are not yet receiving services in three provinces of Armenia – Vayots Dzor, Aragatsotn and Tavush. It just so happens that NGOs are not active in those provinces. We have worked on programs for these provinces and have presented them to international organizations, hoping for donors to be found”, she said.

According to her, elderly people are receiving care services, but there are still gaps to be filled. It is necessary to improve healthcare services, increase in types of care services and increase in quality, alternative services for mentally ill elders. She said a small community home has been founded in Spitak, which will operate for people with mental issues.

70 percent of elderly people live in cities across Armenia, and 59 percent of the total number of elderly are women. The average life expectancy in Armenia is 74,8 years. This indicator has increased by half years compared to last year.