Lone elderly. People aged 65 years and older who live alone, account for 4.2% of the population and are considered a vulnerable group, especially in terms of access to health care services. The risk of poverty among this segment of the population has decreased significantly since 2007 (when it was recorded at a rate of 44%), mainly due to the increase of pensions in 2008 and the introduction of social pensions in 2009. In Romania the majority of dependent old persons are in the care of their family, and most caregivers are women – wives or daughters. Regarding the social services for elderly, according to the National Electronically Registry of Social Services data form 01.10.2012, there were registers 181 residential care services, with an average of 8132 beneficiaries; 66 day centers and 307 home care units. Elderly people living alone need to be included among eligible target groups for accessing European funds. The needs of this group are related to the development of residential care services (nursing homes, day care centres), of medical care services, and of home‐based social services for immobile people.
