Law No. 121/2016 on Social Care Services

The law aims to support the well-being and social inclusion of individuals and families in need of social care, respecting their human rights and dignity. The law is developed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and covers all individuals and families in need of social care in Albania, especially older persons aged 60 and over. The law addresses the challenges and opportunities of aging, such as health, social care, social protection, social inclusion, participation, and empowerment. The law determines the types, benefits, and facilities of social care services, the conditions and procedures to access them, and the role and responsibilities of public and non-public bodies that provide them. The law defines four types of social care services: residential, community, pre-social, and homecare services. The law also establishes specialized, telephone, or online consulting services for specific categories of beneficiaries. The law is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, with a steering committee, a technical secretariat, and a monitoring and evaluation system. The law is aligned with the national and international frameworks and commitments on aging, such as the Madrid Plan, the SDGs, and the EU policies and programs. The law was adopted in 2016.