Changes coming to elderly care in Poland, with new duties for caregivers and municipalities

Poland is on the verge of enacting substantial reforms to its elderly care system, introducing new obligations for both caregivers and local governments. The proposed amendments to the social assistance law are nearing final approval and are expected to elevate the standard of home-based care services.

The new legislation, prepared by the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy, aims to establish a unified standard for care services provided in individuals' homes. The government has already approved the draft, and it has passed through the Sejm's Social Policy and Family Committee. The Chancellery of the Prime Minister stated that the changes will "unify the rules for providing such services, improve the quality of benefits, and better adapt them to the needs of people using social assistance."

A key requirement for individuals providing care services, particularly those employed by social assistance centers or contracted by municipalities, will be the completion of a first aid course. Existing caregivers will have a three-month grace period after the law takes effect to obtain this certification. Additionally, caregivers will need to submit a declaration confirming their psychophysical ability to provide care services.

Municipalities will bear the responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the quality of care services. They will be tasked with collecting and analyzing data on service delivery to ensure greater effectiveness, safety, and the elimination of irregularities. Detailed standards for home-based care services are to be specified in a separate regulation, scheduled to take effect on August 31, 2026.

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Projekt wprowadza zmiany w systemie opieki wykonywanej w miejscu zamieszkania. Nowe przepisy ujednolicają zasady świadczenia takich usług, poprawiają jakość świadczeń i lepiej dopasowują je do potrzeb osób korzystających z pomocy społecznej.