«Zhamanak». Retirement Homes to Close. What is Planned Instead?

«Zhamanak» newspaper reports that the Armenian government intends to eliminate homes for the elderly, commonly known as retirement homes, in the near future. This is stated in the draft decision regarding the 'Strategy for the De-institutionalization of Care Services Provided to the Elderly and the Introduction and Development of Alternative Community Services' submitted by the government.

The strategy is expected to be implemented from 2020 to 2024. As a result, all five state-run retirement homes currently providing care for 1,200 elderly individuals in Armenia will be closed down. Instead, the government plans to establish small care facilities in communities or provide funds to assist in caring for the elderly at home.

The cost of caring for an elderly individual in a care home is approximately 3,700 drams per day, while at-home care costs about ten times less, at 390 drams.

For more details, refer to today’s edition of the newspaper.