As part of the project “Strengthening resilience of older persons and persons with disabilities during the Covid-19 crisis and future disasters” funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency, on May 18, 2023, the study “Access to long-term care services in Albania” was presented to the public.
The results of the research in Albania show that 31.6% of people aged 65 and over have a need for long-term care due to difficulties in functioning, while among people with disabilities aged 18-64, as many as 98% of those who need long-term care services need it due to great difficulties in performing daily life activities. The study showed that in Albania, on the one hand, there is not a sufficient number of nursing homes for older persons, and on the other hand, they are expensive for older persons and their families. Additionally there is no foster care for older persons in Albania. Based on these results, an advocacy plan will be created to improve some of the services. This study was done according to the same methodology for the entire region, and should be the basis for formulating recommendations on how to increase the capacity of service providers and civil society organizations, to improve public policies, and to increase financial contributions.
The press conference was held in the premises of the Albanian Red Cross, and the presentation was attended by partners and representatives of the Albanian National Television, representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs and representatives of the Association of Pensioners of Albania. The keynote speakers at this meeting agreed that closer cooperation between the healthcare system and the social protection system is necessary in order to provide older persons and persons with disabilities with the best possible support and care.
The project “Strengthening resilience of older persons and persons with disabilities during the Covid-19 crisis and future disasters” is coordinated by the Red Cross of Serbia, and the partners in Albania are the Albanian Red Cross and the Albanian Association of Gerontologists and Geriatricians.
