In recent years, Albania has witnessed a significant shift in the tradition of elderly care, which was once a hallmark of family life. The rising emigration of young people and declining birth rates are contributing to this change, leaving many elderly individuals without the familial support they once relied on.
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| Albanian pensioners in line to receive their pension at the Tirana post office near the center |
According to data from the 2023 Census, nearly half of all families in Albania have at least one member over the age of 60. This aging population presents a growing challenge in terms of care needs.
Nertila Podgorica, a researcher from the Department of Nursing Science and Gerontology at the University of Health Sciences in Austria, conducted a comprehensive study titled "Challenges and Difficulties Faced by Nurses in Elderly Care Institutions in Albania". Her research highlights critical issues faced by nurses in Albania's eldercare facilities and paints a picture of a system under strain.
The State of Elderly Care Facilities in Albania
Albania currently has 39 residential centers for the elderly, with the majority—14 centers—located in the Tirana region. Other areas like Korça (6 centers), Shkodra (5 centers), and Berat (3 centers) have fewer facilities, and the remaining regions, including Durrës, Vlora, and Elbasan, only have 1 or 2 centers each.
The staff in these facilities predominantly consists of doctors and nurses, while there is a shortage of social workers and nurse assistants, even though these roles are mandated in the formal structure. This gap is primarily due to the lack of proper training for nurse assistants and social workers, as current curricula and training institutions in Albania do not adequately prepare professionals for elderly care.
The Backbone of Elderly Care: Nurses Under Pressure
Nurses are considered the backbone of Albania's healthcare system, particularly in eldercare, where they provide essential services to an increasingly elderly population. Their knowledge, behavior, and level of care greatly influence the quality of life of their patients. However, nurses in Albania face numerous challenges, including inadequate physical environments, outdated equipment, and insufficient training. These factors negatively impact the quality of care provided to elderly residents.
A survey conducted as part of the study revealed that Albanian nurses face significant difficulties in eldercare institutions. They often care for elderly individuals with dementia or other health conditions, many of whom struggle with decision-making regarding their therapies or end-of-life care. This leads to emotional stress for nurses, who are frequently confronted with moral dilemmas and a sense of powerlessness in protecting their patients.
Aggressive behavior from elderly residents is another challenge that takes a psychological toll on nurses, leading to burnout, reduced working hours, and even departures from the profession. The shortage of nurses is becoming an increasingly pressing issue as a result.
Demographics and Infrastructure Challenges
The 2023 Census revealed that Albania is home to 755,950 family units, with 49% of them comprising individuals of retirement age. Breaking down the elderly population further, the data shows that:
- 195,000 families include individuals aged 60-69, representing 26% of the total family units.
- 122,249 families have members aged 70-79, making up 16% of the total.
- 53,000 families have residents over 80, constituting 7% of all family units.
Despite these growing numbers, Albania is still in the early stages of building the necessary infrastructure to handle the challenges of an aging population with dignity and care.
Conclusion
As Albania continues to experience high rates of emigration and declining birth rates, the traditional model of family-based elder care is eroding. With an aging population that requires increasing levels of support, the country's existing eldercare infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. Nurses, who are at the forefront of this care, face a host of emotional, physical, and logistical challenges that affect their ability to provide quality care.
Albania will need to invest in both its workforce and infrastructure to meet the needs of its aging population, ensuring that the elderly are cared for with the respect and dignity they deserve.