Cyprus faces criticism over the institutionalization of disabled people in nursing homes

Cyprus is currently under scrutiny for the systemic institutionalization of individuals with disabilities within nursing homes, a practice driven by a severe lack of alternative living facilities. During a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour, Themis Anthopoulou, president of the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (KYSOA), reported that approximately 300 individuals with various disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions, are currently housed in elderly care facilities. Among them are people as young as 19 and 26, who are often forced to share rooms with elderly patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Investigations reveal that the regulatory framework governing these institutions is severely outdated, with penalties still expressed in Cyprus pounds instead of euros. Officials acknowledge that the government has failed for decades to develop adequate independent living infrastructure. Consequently, authorities are now facing mounting pressure to modernize the licensing and inspection systems to protect vulnerable residents. There is an urgent demand for a comprehensive overhaul of the legal framework to ensure that state-funded support addresses the specific needs of disabled citizens rather than relying on inappropriate elderly care settings.