By: G. B.
Judging by the PR messages coming from the government, we have exemplary care for the elderly in our country. In short, everything is wonderful in Slovenia, as Adi Smolar sings.
On one hand, this supposedly means that there will be enough care homes for the elderly, and on the other, that elderly care will also be possible at home. Let’s recall that the current government undermined a law on long-term care passed by the previous coalition after years of attempts to legislate this issue, all for its vision of a “land of milk and honey”. A majority of voters approved the current coalition’s new legislative solution in a referendum, thinking it would bring great improvements.
But the reality is entirely different. According to our sources in care homes for the elderly, Minister for a Solidarity-Based Future, Simon Maljevac (Levica), is promising the impossible. Despite all the glowing promises about how everything will be splendidly organised, there is a very real chance that many families of those in need of care will be left to fend for themselves. And what is the core problem? A severe shortage of staff!
Our sources state that job seekers are avoiding care homes like the plague. The main issue is the shortage of medical personnel. Work in eldercare homes is exceptionally demanding, requiring night shifts, weekend, and holiday work – while salaries are inversely proportional to the level of responsibility and workload. Employees in these homes are among the worst paid, and many find it more worthwhile to seek work in Austria or take jobs in retail chains like Lidl or Hofer. Some even prefer to remain unemployed, as social benefits for doing nothing are more appealing than the modest wages for work that often leads to burnout.
The consequence of this is, of course, that eldercare home departments will need to close in the future, as many facilities are unable to operate due to a lack of staff. Similarly, extreme left-wing policies are driving doctors out of the country.
Our sources also warn that even a potential influx of migrant workers will not solve the problem. Foreign workers will not understand the specific needs of residents (communication barriers will create new issues), and they will also seek employment in other EU countries where they can earn better wages and where salaries are less heavily taxed.
In summary, Maljevac’s solidarity system is nothing but a scam.
