Bulgaria expands elderly care facilities amid 5,000-person shortage

Bulgaria is addressing a shortage of elderly care facilities through the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which has resulted in the construction of 250 new homes. Despite these developments, Social Minister Natalia Efremova reports that over 5,000 people are still waiting for placement in care facilities across the country.

The initiative follows government crackdowns on illegal care homes, previously dubbed ‘houses of horrors’ by the public, where investigations uncovered violence and suffering. While new facilities are being established, some existing institutions still face significant challenges. For example, the only home for adults with dementia in Gorsko Kosovo has operated for 40 years and currently houses 27 residents, many of whom lack family support.

Newer infrastructure is being rolled out in various regions, including a facility in Polena, Simitli municipality, which is ready for residents, and a new home in Sukhindol, which is expected to be completed next year.