Pensioners struggling to make ends meet face housing crisis: Queuing for nursing homes!

CHP Manisa Deputy Bekir Başevirgen asked CİMER about the increase in applications to nursing homes and elderly care and rehabilitation centers over the last 5 years. The response received highlighted a 41 percent increase within the last 5 years.

ECONOMIC REASONS

Stating that the elderly are turning to nursing homes due to economic reasons, Başevirgen said in his statement on the matter, "Our pensioners, who struggle to meet even their basic needs with 10 thousand lira pensions, are also facing a housing crisis due to exorbitant rent increases. Our elderly, who struggle to pay their rent, are seeking a solution in nursing homes. In 2023, the number of people who applied to nursing homes and elderly care and rehabilitation centers reached 19 thousand 670. There has been an average increase of 41 percent in applications to nursing homes over the last 5 years," he stated.

PENSIONERS QUEUING FOR NURSING HOMES

Pointing out that applications to nursing homes in 2023 exceeded capacity, Başevirgen assessed, "There are 168 official elderly care facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services with a capacity of 17 thousand 499. 14 thousand 696 elderly people are receiving services in these institutions. In contrast, the number of people who applied to the ministry as of 2023 reached 19 thousand 670. According to the ministry's statement, there are no elderly people waiting for more than 2 years, but the number of applications exceeding capacity shows that this is not entirely accurate."

Touching upon the prices of private nursing homes and elderly care centers, Başevirgen noted the following:

"In 2024, prices for private nursing homes and elderly care centers increased by more than 130 percent. With 2024 prices, the cost of staying in private nursing homes ranges from 22 thousand lira to 66 thousand lira. Many elderly civil servant retirees staying in nursing homes have begun to worry about whether they will be evicted due to the high fees they will struggle to pay. With the 49.25 percent raise given to pensions, our elderly cannot even pass through the doors of private nursing homes. With these prices, pensioners have no chance of staying in private nursing homes and elderly care centers. Citizens over the age of 60, who are forced to turn to state-owned nursing homes, have to wait for a long time due to applications exceeding capacity."

News Source: 12punto