Home Care for Seniors Provided by the State

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia has released facts regarding the work done and programs implemented.

FACTS
14% of the population of the Republic of Armenia, which accounts for 420,000 people, are over the age of 63. Currently, 1,210 elderly individuals reside in four state nursing homes and the ‘Zorak’ mental health care center.

This year, 2 billion 148 million drams have been allocated from the state budget for the care of persons living in state nursing homes. Home care is provided for 4,900 elderly individuals by the state, with around 350 million drams allocated from the state budget for this purpose.

The average cost of caring for one beneficiary for a day in the nursing homes operating under the ministry is about 3,700 drams.

ACHIEVEMENTS
The minimum pension amount has been increased, establishing a minimum threshold of 25,500 drams. The stipend for veterans of the Great Patriotic War has been doubled to 100,000 drams.

A refurbished separate unit of the ‘Norq’ nursing home has been opened, designed for 30 bedridden elderly patients. Thirty veterans of the Patriotic War will receive free treatment at health resorts. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will allocate 4,320,000 drams for obtaining medical referrals.

Starting from January 1, 2020, the state will reimburse utility payments for socially vulnerable elderly individuals living alone. All pensions will increase by an average of 10% beginning in 2020.

PROGRAMS
A strategy for the deinstitutionalization of elderly care and the development of alternative community services has been developed. The document is aimed not only at improving their social situation but also at creating conditions necessary for active, dignified, and healthy aging.

From 2020 to 2024, small homes designed for 6-10 people will be established, along with alternative community-based care types, employment, and leisure alternative day centers, and an individual assistant institute will be formed.