Bosnia and Herzegovina elderly care faces high costs and service shortages

An audit of elderly care facilities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has revealed significant deficiencies in service quality, staffing, and oversight. The report, covering activities from 2023 to 2025, examined public institutions including the Gerontological Center Sarajevo, the Center for the Elderly and Infirm in Mostar, and the Retirees' Home in Tuzla.

Auditors identified critical shortages of professional staff, specifically caregivers and physiotherapists, which hampers care for those requiring intensive support. The report also highlighted inadequate facilities for managing dementia, poor nutritional monitoring, and a lack of strategic documentation from relevant ministries to improve elderly care standards.

Financial burdens on families are also rising. While public facility costs start at approximately 900 KM, private accommodations can reach up to 2,800 KM per month. In regions like Mostar, demand for care has exceeded available capacity by 25 to 30 percent. Many retirees find these costs unaffordable on standard pensions, forcing families to rely on private sector options or personal loans to cover the gap.