Problems of Development in the Non-profit Sector of Social Services for the Elderly

Abstract

According to New Governance Theory, the task of increasing the efficiency of social services for older people requires the development of a non-profit sector of social services, as well as an intersectoral collaboration in this area. The purpose of this article is to study the institutional barriers and opportunities for the development of the non-profit sector of social services for senior citizens. The analysis was based on forty-three interviews with representatives of non-governmental organizations providing stationary and home-based social services for the elderly. For the study, eight regions were selected in which the capitals of the federal districts are located. Thus, the sample covers all federal districts of the Russian Federation. During the analysis, the main barriers to the development of the sector were identified: low interest on the part of the regional authorities, low level of interaction within the sector, personnel and property problems, and the tax burden. NPOs can be partners of the state, successfully coping with the functions of social service providers, but the study shows that the development of the sector requires a number of additional steps on the part of the state. In particular, this includes the introduction of certificates in the field of social services, providing access to staff training in new professional standards, financial support for bringing buildings to the required state for in-patient social services, the inclusion of non-state providers in the system of interagency cooperation, and the provision of tax benefits. Based on the results of the study, recommendations are made for the authorities on the development of the non-governmental sector of social services.