The citizens’ association “DON” Prijedor, together with its partners “Stop Mobbing” Trebinje and “Topeer” Doboj, has launched a campaign aimed at improving living conditions for elderly and frail persons in the Republic of Srpska through consistent implementation of the right to the service “Home Care and Assistance.”

Although this right is clearly defined and guaranteed by the Law on Social Protection of the Republic of Srpska, in practice it is available in only a few local communities. Many elderly and frail citizens, especially those with low incomes, remain without adequate support in their daily lives, further deepening their social and economic insecurity.

One of the key proposals of the campaign is the introduction of a system of gerontohousekeepers, which would replace the current model of individual caregivers. This approach has been successfully implemented in neighboring countries such as Serbia and Croatia. Gerontohousekeepers are women and men over the age of 40 who are registered with employment offices, and their engagement simultaneously contributes to reducing unemployment and improving the quality of care for older persons.

The campaign calls for amendments to the “Rulebook on Exercising the Right to Home Care and Assistance”, which would oblige local authorities to provide an adequate number of gerontohousekeepers according to users’ needs. Funds that would otherwise be allocated for institutional accommodation of elderly persons would instead be redirected to finance salaries for gerontohousekeepers — thereby improving the quality of life for users who could remain in their homes.

At today’s round table with representatives of local governments and Centers for Social Work, participants discussed the reasons why the right to the Home Care and Assistance service is not being fulfilled, shared experiences from municipalities where this right is implemented, and offered solutions through proposed amendments to the existing Rulebook.

In the coming period, a meeting with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Srpska is expected, where concrete proposals for amendments to the Rulebook will be presented — to ensure its practical implementation and enable a dignified life for elderly and frail persons in their own homes.