LTCcovid Country Profile – Printable Version
1.03. Long-term care financing arrangements and coverage
In 2016 public LTC expenditure in Hungary was estimated to represent 0.9% of Gross Domestic Product (source: European Commission: The 2018 Ageing Report).
Update for: Hungary Last updated: February 10th, 2022
1.05. Quality and regulation in Long-term care
There are national definitions of LTC quality provided in the form of government decrees or recommendations. Quality is defined separately regarding home nursing care as well as social care. Quality of services is typically defined by inputs, such as minimal requirements on personnel (number of employees and their qualification), physical conditions, infrastructure and equipment. For some services, procedures such as care planning are also prescribed in the decrees. The quality frameworks are mandatory and apply to all providers (private, for or non for profit, or public providers) (source: European Commission: 2021 Long-term care in the EU).
Update for: Hungary Last updated: February 10th, 2022
2.01. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country (total population)
As of December 3, 2021, there have been 1,134,869 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hungary, and 35,122 deaths, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, corresponding to 365.6 attributed deaths per 100,000 population.
Update for: Hungary Last updated: December 5th, 2021 Contributors: Disha Patel |
2.02. Deaths attributed to COVID-19 among people using long-term care
As of August 27, 2020, there have been 142 COVID-19 related deaths in care homes, accounting for 23% of all deaths (142 of 614). These COVID-19 related deaths only account for people who have tested positive and died (Source: https://koronavirus.gov.hu/cikkek/idosotthonok-142-koronavirussal-fertozott-gondozott-hunyt-el-kozuluk-55-en-pesti-uton).
Because less than 3% of the population aged over 65 lives in care homes in Hungary, it is expected that the share of deaths in care homes in Hungary will be lower than in other countries. In 2018, the total number of residents of care homes was 55,170, of which 50,589 were aged 65 or more. Assuming the number of residents hasn’t changed, then the share of care home residents who have died as of August 27, 2020, would be 0.3%.
Update for: Hungary Last updated: August 2nd, 2021
2.09. Impact of the pandemic on workforce shortages in the Long-Term Care sector
OECD report indicated that Hungary faced similar staff shortages during pandemic to other countries, there were efforts to recruit volunteers from the health sector to address the challenges (e.g. students, professionals in private sector).
Update for: Hungary Last updated: January 26th, 2022
3.06.01. Surge staffing and other measures to support care homes with outbreaks or critical staff shortages
In April 2020 the army was deployed to provide desinfection tasks in care homes across Hungary.
Update for: Hungary Last updated: February 18th, 2022
3.07.03. Visiting and unpaid carer policies in care homes
Restrictions on visiting in care homes were lifted in May 2021, once it was considered that the vaccination rate among care home residents was high enough.
Update for: Hungary Last updated: February 18th, 2022