URGENT UPDATE: The Niksic Elderly Home, located in Niksic, Montenegro, is grappling with a staffing crisis as it celebrates its third anniversary on March 16, 2025. Currently, the facility provides care for 160 users, but with 50 individuals on the waiting list, the need for additional medical personnel is critical.
Jelena Banjevic, the acting director, revealed to Pobjeda that despite successfully resolving 120 requests this year, the home is unable to admit more residents due to a lack of staff. The majority of those waiting require assistance in palliative care, dementia, and psycho-geriatric departments. “To continue accepting new residents, we must first increase our workforce, particularly in medical roles,” Banjevic stated.
With the elderly population rising, the Niksic Elderly Home is striving to create a nurturing environment that promotes dignity and companionship. Banjevic emphasized the importance of addressing the staffing shortfall as a means of ensuring quality care for residents. “Our users are not merely individuals needing care; they are a wealth of experience and wisdom,” she explained.
During 2025, the home has not only focused on care but has also engaged in community-building activities. Banjevic noted that the past year has been both successful and challenging, with various initiatives implemented to enhance user satisfaction. “We aim to provide a family-like warmth that is essential for our residents’ well-being,” she added.
The home offers extensive medical services, including healthcare from two general practitioners and five specialists who visit weekly. Over the past year, 920 specialist examinations have been conducted, underscoring the facility’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare.
Additionally, the Niksic Elderly Home serves 11,700 meals and 8,000 snacks monthly, ensuring nutritional needs are met with care. Residents also have access to various services, including hairdressing, laundry, shopping, transportation, and occupational therapy.
Banjevic expressed gratitude to the generous donors who have significantly contributed to improving the home’s conditions. Recently, they acquired a new specialized vehicle for transporting individuals with disabilities, valued at 42,083 EUR, thanks to the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). Furthermore, an ambulance vehicle worth 41,314 EUR was donated by the Embassy of Japan, enhancing their capability to provide quality medical services.
Looking ahead, the Niksic Elderly Home is prioritizing the enhancement of life quality for older adults. Banjevic highlighted the importance of preserving the anthropological status of users to ensure a peaceful and secure aging process.
The home has also become a hub for social activities, hosting art colonies and cultural events that foster creativity and interaction among residents. “Our recent art initiatives generated artwork valued at 31,150 EUR, illustrating the talent and vibrancy of our community,” Banjevic noted.
As the Niksic Elderly Home continues to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on securing financial and human resources to better serve its residents and uphold their dignity. The need for immediate action is clear; without additional staff, the facility cannot meet the increasing demand for care.
For those following the developments at the Niksic Elderly Home, stay tuned for further updates on this urgent situation as the facility seeks support from the Ministry of Finance and local authorities.
