Elderly parents struggle to find care in Lithuania amid long waiting lists

Securing a place in a nursing home for elderly parents in Lithuania is becoming an almost impossible task, with waiting lists extending up to two years and a severe lack of available spots. For seniors like Janina, who recently moved into newly opened care home in Kaunas, the situation is a relief, but it highlights the broader crisis. Her family now has to travel nearly 200 kilometers to visit her, as no closer facilities had openings.

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Everyone was looking for an opportunity to find a place nearby. I am from Rokiškis, I wanted everyone to be able to visit, but nowhere closer did we find a better place.

Many families are experiencing similar struggles. Jūratė recounted calling dozens of care facilities in search of a spot for her father, only to be met with constant rejections due to full capacity or unsuitable conditions. The long wait times and geographical distance have forced some families to place their loved ones in facilities far from home, sometimes leading to concerns about neglect. Jūratė shared a distressing experience where her father, after being placed in a facility hundreds of kilometers away, suffered from untreated wounds and dehydration, requiring hospitalization.

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I called about 15 institutions. In some there were no places, in others there were queues, and in others the conditions were not suitable.

Mantvydas, who cared for his mother after she suffered multiple strokes, also faced a lengthy search for a care home. He described exhausting all options, including private institutions, all of which were full. He noted that people have waited as long as two years for specialized care and assistance for their relatives. The situation is equally dire in nursing and palliative care facilities, which are completely overwhelmed. Ieva Bradulskienė, director of a palliative care hospital in Kaunas, stated that her facility currently has 57 patients on its waiting list, with no available beds in Lithuania.

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Everything that was under the diaper was covered in wounds. I checked myself. My father complained that he was in pain, he had been hospitalized. They didn't even give him water to drink.

Experts attribute the crisis to Lithuania's aging population and a shift in societal attitudes towards elder care. Traditionally, families were expected to care for their elderly parents, but this is changing. Seniors themselves are increasingly seeking out care homes, not just for medical assistance but also for social engagement and to combat loneliness. Facilities offer activities like art, music, and games, providing a sense of community. Despite the challenges, the demand for these services continues to rise, with approximately 1,600 Kaunas residents currently receiving care and around 113 new applications each month.

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We called all the care institutions, but everywhere the places were occupied, they talked about waiting. We could have applied to private institutions, but it turned out that all the places there were also occupied. We have heard that people waited for two years for their relatives to be provided with specialized help, nursing, and care.