Summary of "ТЕНЕВОЙ БИЗНЕС НА СТАРОСТИ: кто зарабатывает на нелегальных пансионатах. Журналистское расследование"

Investigative Report on Elderly Care Facilities in Belarus

The report exposes the shadowy and often illegal business surrounding elderly care facilities in Belarus, focusing on unlicensed private nursing homes that operate under unsafe and unregulated conditions.

Overview of the Investigation

The investigation begins with a visit to a neglected elderly woman trapped in an apartment with minimal care. This case highlights the challenges pensioners face when trying to access official nursing homes. Due to strict licensing laws introduced last year, many substandard nursing homes were shut down, drastically reducing the number of legal facilities and creating long waiting lists.

Current State of Nursing Homes

Some private boarding houses have complied with regulations and undergone renovations to meet safety standards.
Many others have gone underground, operating illegally in hidden apartments or unofficial locations.
These clandestine homes evade licensing and inspections, making it difficult for authorities to monitor their conditions.
Staff and emergency responders confirm frequent calls to these illegal homes, where residents—mostly bedridden or disabled elderly—receive inadequate care and medical attention.

Conditions in Illegal Nursing Homes

The report reveals several disturbing practices in illegal facilities:

Some operators mask poor conditions by burning incense to cover odors from sedentary patients.

Despite charging fees close to those of legal homes, these underground facilities:

Accept only cash payments.
Avoid official oversight.
Are evasive or deny engagement when approached by investigators.

Government Response and Regulation

Government agencies such as the tax authority and Ministry of Labor claim ongoing efforts to monitor and regulate social care providers but acknowledge that demand for elderly care creates a market for illegal services.

Officially, there are about 100 state-run social institutions.
Only 18 private nursing homes are licensed after passing strict safety checks.
Many private entities operate in legal gray zones, sometimes disguising medical activities as social care to circumvent licensing requirements.

Legal private operators emphasize the complexity of running nursing homes and note active government support through meetings with high-level officials. The Ministry of Emergency Situations enforces safety regulations rigorously, but:

The exact number of illegal nursing homes remains unknown, as does the safety level within them.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The report concludes with a strong recommendation for families to:

Verify the licensing status of nursing homes before entrusting their elderly relatives.
Ensure proper care and safety by choosing legally compliant facilities.

Presenters/Contributors: Alexander Pleskachev, Sergey Andrushkevich, Vladimir Koziyatka, Andrey Mushabets