Audit reveals staff shortages in elderly care homes in FBiH

An audit of elderly care services in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) has identified significant deficiencies in staffing and facilities. The performance review, covering activities from 2023 to 2025, examined six institutions, including social welfare ministries in Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Herzegovina-Neretva cantons, as well as care homes in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Tuzla.

Auditors found that ministries lack strategic documents and standardized regulations to address the needs of an aging population. While basic accommodation is generally provided, there are critical shortages of healthcare workers, specifically caregivers and physiotherapists. The current staff structure is insufficient to meet the growing demand for intensive care and constant supervision.

Specific concerns were raised regarding users with dementia, for whom adequate spatial, organizational, and therapeutic conditions are not guaranteed. Additionally, the audit noted issues with nutritional quality, a lack of systematic monitoring of meal satisfaction, and inadequate procedures for handling user complaints. Professional oversight by ministries was found to be inconsistent or entirely absent in some cases.