site.btaOver 3,200 People to Be Removed from Homes for People with Disabilities

More than 3,200 people will be removed from homes for adults with disabilities, which will be closed as part of the second stage of a long-term care deinstitutionalization process for the elderly. They will be accommodated in new family-type social services, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy said on Tuesday.

This will be implemented under the measure Continuing Support for Long-term Care under the Human Resources Development Programme, which was approved by the Monitoring Committee. The operation is of strategic importance and has a budget of BGN 12 million. The specific beneficiary is the Social Assistance Agency, with the Ministry of Health being an eligible associated partner.

Eligible activities under the measure include the establishment and training of teams to carry out preparations for removal, psychological counseling, assessment of specific medical needs, and assessment of the need for intensive specialist support. Individual assessment and a discharge plan will be drawn up for those accommodated in the homes for adults with disabilities. People who are permanently housed in public psychiatric hospitals will also have a needs assessment and be referred to appropriate social services. Supervision will be provided for the teams carrying out the project activities.

The main purpose of the procedure is to provide appropriate residential-type social services and adequate integrated support for people who currently live in homes for adults with disabilities or are permanently housed in state psychiatric hospitals.