The Third Age in Greece

Greece has the highest share of population aged 65+ among EU member states and conversely, the lowest share of spending on long-term care, as a percentage of overall health spending. Recent figures show that Greece allocated less than 0.2% of GDP of total spending to long-term care; far below the EU average of 1.5%, leading to limitations in services provided. In 2020, for example, for every 100,000 inhabitants there was less than 1 long-term care bed in nursing and residential care facilities, ranking Greece the lowest among EU member states (OECD, 2020).

The fact that there is no central government service for long term care creates further challenges in terms of representation and coordination of elderly issues at the state level. This partly explains why close relations have taken on the very large burden of family care and why NGO’s form such a vital part of care for the elderly in the country. More than half a million elderly report that they have difficulty with personal care activities with almost two thirds requiring personal assistance.

TIMA Charitable Foundation’s aim is to support as many, of both the critical and non-critical needs of the elderly in Greece, in order to enrich the lives and welfare of those most vulnerable in our society.

In Numbers

77%

of people 65+ receive a monthly median pension of €643 euro (IDIKA, 2020)

21%

of people 65+ are at risk of poverty (ELSTAT, 2020)

69%

of people 65+ suffer from chronic illnesses (ELSTAT, 2020)

53%
of elderly people are affected by vision problems
197,000
people were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2015 and their number is expected to reach 354,000 in 2050
50%
of elderly people are affected by hearing problems
84
years is the average life expectancy for women, and 79 years for men
74%
of elderly people are affected by mobility problems
69%
of the least educated elderly receive a pension as opposed to 92% who receive a pension and are well educated

The Third Age in Greece

At 74 years of age

only 64% of women claim pensions as opposed to 90% of men

The Third Age in Greece

129,000

people have been diagnosed with Dementia in Greece (ELSTAT, 2020)

The Third Age in Greece

2,482,000

There are 2,482,000 pensioners in Greece

Testimonials

Before joining the Frodizo program we had nothing. Now we feel that there is help and this is the most important thing. Thank you all for everything you’ve taught us!”

F., Caregiver, Frodizo