Uneven Progress in Poland's Social Care Reforms Amid Local Government Challenges

Poland's efforts to shift from institutional care to community-based social services are progressing at vastly different speeds across its 16 regions, a report by Grant Thornton reveals. The analysis, described by Rzeczpospolita, highlights that while EU funds are available, the pace of deinstutionalization remains uneven nationwide.

The report, titled "Deinstytucjonalizacja usług opiekuńczych w Polsce" (Deinstytucjonalization of care services in Poland), estimates that 2.6 billion Polish zloty were needed to implement 874 community-based programs. These programs aim to provide support within individuals' homes, including day centers, supported living arrangements, home care, and personal assistance, moving away from 24-hour institutional care.

However, the effectiveness and reach of these services vary significantly. In the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, a region noted for its accessibility of care services, these programs were available in 99.1% of municipalities but reached only 1.6% of the post-working-age population. This disparity is influenced by demographic structures, local eligibility criteria, staffing levels, and the financial capacity of local governments.

A significant challenge is that 80% of long-term care in Poland is still provided by family members (informal care), with only 20% being formal care. The report emphasizes that the primary issue is not excessive institutionalization but the limited availability of professional support outside the family. Therefore, developing stable, funded home-based, day, respite, and assistant services should be a priority for the reform. Regional Development Plans for Social Services and Deinstytucjonalization indicate that families struggle to provide sustained home care without adequate community support.