1. This report is based on a study of older people in four representative sites in
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Gracanica and Zavidovici (Bosnia), Livno and
Nevesinje (Herzegovina), carried out from July to November by Zeljka Mudrovcic
and non-governmental organisation ‘OSMIJEH’ in cooperation with the network
members and supported by Help the Aged UK, HelpAge International and the
SEE Network.
2. The research found that old age is perceived as ill health, a right to social and
economic benefits is equalised with humanitarian assistance, while pension
rights are considered as an economic burden to society. The rights to political
and social engagement of older people are denied because of the social
perception that older citizens have cognitive and physical limitations. This
perception contributes to decision making in policy, social and cultural
development in general.
3. The study shows that low pension and poverty of older persons are still a
problem. In spite of pension reform there has been no improvement. Social care
provisions are equal to pensions and are based on status rather than needs
assessment.
4. Lack of access to health services for older people, expensive medicine and
treatment are the number one problem in health reform.
5. Family care is often lacking due to changed family structure after the war, while
institutional care is expensive and often inappropriate.