Aging society: organization of long-term care for the elderly in Poland.

Abstract

Background: Aging society is one of the main challenges of the organization and provision of health care in XXI century. In 2030 more than one third of Polish population will be older than 65 years old and every tenth person will be more than 80 years old. Ageing of the population and dependency trends fuel the demand for long-term care. This raising demand is challenging for both finance and organization of health and social care. Despite of existing reports and publication on long term care or elderly care in Poland, there is a lack of publications that include all forms of available support that are scattered in various provisions systems. A robust overview is needed for accurate planning of required changes to prepare the system for future demographic challenges. Goal: description of organization of formal and informal long-term care for the elderly in Poland considering various financial systems. Methods: Review of available reports, publications and legal bills related to long term and/or elderly care in Poland. A non-systematic literature review in English and Polish sources has been conducted in March 2018. Results: Long term care of elderly patients in Poland is scattered through various financial and provisions systems. Population aging and growing dependency ratio requires to prepare the system for growing demand for long term care.