Take a Look at the Elderly Welfare Home in Hungary
Hungary has a population of 10 million, with 2 million people aged 60 and above, and as many as 3.1 million receiving pensions or enjoying pension benefits. In such a typical aging society, how do the elderly live? With this question in mind, relevant personnel visited the "Snekudus" Elderly Welfare Home in Budapest.
This welfare home is located on a hillside outside the city, covering one hectare. The area is lush with trees and features a serene environment. Director Marta explained that Hungary's elderly welfare homes are operated by the state, churches, or privately, and their facility is privately run.
Regarding the motivation for establishing the welfare home, Marta said that several years ago her sister needed care, but family members couldn't be with her all day, and there were many such elderly people. Thus, she and her husband conceived the idea of opening an elderly welfare home. Currently, the home accommodates 58 elderly residents aged between 63 and 96. There are 78 housing units ranging from 20 to 60 square meters. Each room includes a bathroom and shower, and is equipped with a refrigerator, color TV, telephone, and call system. The home employs 27 staff members, including two full-time doctors and 14 nurses. Residents receive round-the-clock attentive services here—from daily routines and meals to room cleaning, medical care, and laundry.
Marta stated that anyone who has retired, does not drink excessively, and has no mental illness can reside here. Before admission, residents must sign a contract and pay a housing fund, determined by room size. Currently, a 20-square-meter room requires a deposit of 4.5 million forints (approximately 1 USD = 280 forints). If a resident leaves within 10 years, part of the deposit can be refunded. However, regardless of how long they stay, the funds cannot be returned upon death. To maintain a familiar and cozy environment, residents usually bring their own furniture used for years. If the home provides furnishings, additional charges apply. Additionally, residents must pay 33,500 forints monthly for living and care expenses, while the government subsidizes 35,000 forints per month for each resident at the home.
The welfare home’s cafeteria arranges unified meals for the elderly. Meals are primarily vegetarian, with meat limited to poultry and fish. This dietary choice was decided after consultation with doctors, deemed beneficial for elderly health. To enrich residents’ lives, various activities are regularly organized, such as listening to music, playing games, and baking contests, which are greatly appreciated by the elderly. The home is clean and tidy, and each residence has its unique character. In the room of 84-year-old Ruzsika, numerous oil paintings hang on the walls. Emotionally, she shared that her mother died when she was six, she lost her child in middle age, and later her husband passed away. Only here does she feel what true love means.
The home’s work has received widespread social praise. Over recent years, in the Budapest municipal bureau’s annual evaluation of private welfare homes, “Snekudus” has consistently ranked first.