Older people and access to health care in North Macedonia (2021)

2021, vii + 72 pages
ISBN 978 92 890 5542 0
This publication is only available online.

As the population ages in North Macedonia, the family structures are changing and the health and social systems have limited capacity to provide integrated and person-centred care, leaving older people in the country to face a number of health, social and economic challenges.

The report focuses on documenting the demographics, health status, risk factors and disparities among older people. It examines the utilization of health-care services and health-seeking behaviour of older people and explores the perceptions, practices and experiences of older people, primary health care providers and caregivers, with respect to health and social care services.

Furthermore, it looks at describing the situation regarding the provision of integrated health care for older people at both a service and system level. The report also triangulates the data relating to the areas analysed and provides recommendations for the coordination of services and models of care at a service level, while at a system level it recommends ways forward to strengthen patient engagement and empowerment, governance and accountability.