Long-Term Care in Poland: A Challenge for the Coming Decades

Abstract

Introduction. Poland is undergoing a dynamic process of demographic population ageing, which is already increasing the demand for long-term care (LTC) services. Seniors account for approximately 90% of all LTC beneficiaries. Despite the growing number of older adults, access to LTC services remains insufficient in relation to actual needs.

Aim. Analysis of the Long-Term Care System in Poland in the Context of Increasing Demographic Challenges.

Materials and Methods. Analysis of materials collected from the GUS database, data from the Health Needs Maps 2022–2026, government sources, and expert recommendations and analyses.

Review. In Poland, long-term care remains largely reliant on informal caregivers, while the formal system-encompassing the healthcare and social welfare sectors – fails to keep pace with the growing needs resulting from population ageing. Limited availability of institutional, day, and home-based services, workforce shortages, and insufficient cross-sector coordination contribute to low system capacity and extended waiting times. Consequently, care is predominantly reactive, increasing the risk of health deterioration among older adults and placing additional strain on family caregivers.

Conclusions. The Polish long-term care system requires urgent, comprehensive reform aimed at increasing service availability, expanding the workforce, and improving integration between health and social care. In the face of a growing number of dependent individuals and persistent staffing shortages, system modernization is essential to ensure continuous and effective care.