Staff shortages: Will nursing staff retire too?

Since the information system has not been established for a long time, there are many problems in the access to justice from the beginning. The biggest criticism is the definition that the work of caregivers cannot be done by pensioners. The Ministry of Solidarity for the Future is aware of these problems, but they do not intend to make changes so quickly.

People with the most severe medical limitations who need help meeting all basic life needs are entitled to care from family members. “Our experience is that there are a lot of caregivers, especially elderly women who are taking care of their families,” He said Buckwheat Cvelbara gerontologist at the Anton Terstenjak Institute.

So why can’t retirees have caregiver status, especially when there is a chronic shortage of long-term caregivers? “This is a group of people who are really willing to do it, or in other words, they will do it no matter what,” Kverbar explained.

The caregiver will receive 1.2 times the minimum wage and will be entitled to holiday pay and 21 days of vacation. During this period, the person receiving care will be in a social welfare institution, which will provide him with the same range of services. The situation shows that this is often their only option, not only because of the financial situation, but also because of the lack of housing due to lack of staff.

“They often have no choice but to provide care at home, even though it is a very difficult task for them. They often have chronic illnesses themselves, they have to walk on their own, and they are getting older,” Gerontologists emphasize.

Therefore, it is right to support them in terms of status, that is, to support them financially and with proper training. At the same time, home-based care is also the most friendly choice. “They are in their own environment, their local environment, they understand things. Ultimately, the bed at home is always the best,” Kverbal concluded.

The Ministry for a Solidarity with the Future has agreed that this part of the law should be changed so that pensioners can also become caregivers, but they have not yet decided when this will happen.