Foreword

Lithuania is ageing quickly: the share of the population aged 65 years and over is expected to grow from 20% in 2019 to 32% in 2050, faster than the average for OECD countries (17.6% in 2019 and 26.7% in 2050). As people get older, they will more likely need help with ongoing medical care, everyday activities such as washing and dressing, household activities such as cleaning and cooking, as well as with social activities such as going out for a walk. This help is part of what is commonly termed long-term care (LTC). Support from family and social networks for such care is likely to drop due to changing family characteristics and social norms. Over a third of older Lithuanians with activity limitations are at risk of poverty. This heightens the importance of public support for care.

In Lithuania, the long-term care system is fragmented across health and social services, with different eligibility conditions and needs assessment criteria and procedures. This fragmentation generates unmet needs for some, and an overlap of services for others. Rethinking funding streams and ways to co-ordinate services is necessary for the system to better provide to the needs of older people.

This report examines the provision of long-term care services in Lithuania. It analyses the supply of long-term-care services and its financing, the competences of care workers providing services. It points to an inadequacy of services provided. The report proposes directions for reform to bring Lithuania’s long-term care services in line with evolving population needs, strengthen the care workforce, and improve service integration and funding. Such policy options build on analysis of best practices from other countries which are also outlined in the report.