A New Approach to Social Services for the Elderly in Bulgaria

Against the backdrop of the country's aging population, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) is stepping up its efforts to improve care for the most vulnerable groups. Minister Natalia Efremova emphasized the need for a reform that replaces old institutions with modern social services.

"This is the reform for the deinstitutionalization of care for the elderly in Bulgaria, which covers the most severe cases and people who rely entirely on state aid," stated Efremova.

Key pillars of the reform:

  • Building new infrastructure: The creation of nearly 200 new social services is planned, financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
  • Home-based care: The focus is on mobile integrated services and the role of personal assistants as an alternative to institutions.
  • Stricter control: Changes have been introduced to the Penal Code that provide for strict liability for providing social services without a license.

In 2024, the first steps of the strategy have already been implemented, including the opening of the renovated Home for the Elderly in the village of Dobrodan and the launch of nine new day care and residential care centers.