Jordan – Elderly Care

How are elderly people regarded and treated in Jordan?

Jordan’s culture and religion combine to foster a profound reverence for older people. The country’s ageing demographic is shaped by a deeply ingrained preference for growing old within the home, anchored in the Islamic principle of birr al-wālidayn — the obligation of children to honour and support their parents. Far from being merely a social convention, this concept is understood as a religious duty that binds successive generations together.

Across the Arab world, including Jordan, family members — and women in particular — continue to serve as the principal providers of care for older relatives. Multigenerational living arrangements remain widespread, with adult children broadly expected to welcome ageing parents into their homes rather than seek institutional placements. Studies examining Jordanian societal attitudes have found that younger generations hold older people in exceptionally high regard and are supportive of policies that benefit them, while simultaneously expressing strong resistance to placing relatives in care centres.

Collectivist societies like Jordan’s tend to cultivate more positive attitudes towards ageing than their more individualistic Western counterparts, owing to the values embedded in their social fabric. This contrasts sharply with the model seen in, for example, Nordic countries, where publicly funded institutional care has become a widely accepted and culturally normalised option. In Jordan, the decision to place a family member in residential care can still carry a degree of social stigma, although this is slowly beginning to shift.

Broader forces — globalisation, economic pressures, rising living costs, and the gradual transition from extended to nuclear family structures — are reshaping how elder care is practised in Jordan, as they are across the Arab region. Consequently, formal residential care and day services are becoming somewhat more visible and accepted, particularly in cities such as Amman.

What state or publicly funded elderly care is available in Jordan?

The Jordanian government provides a range of social services for its older population, encompassing healthcare, social security, and retirement pensions. Coverage, however, is incomplete and the gaps are substantial. As of 2021, only 45.8% of elderly Jordanians received pensions, and 66% of those pensions fell below the national poverty line.

Older people experiencing financial hardship in Jordan may benefit from the bread subsidy, monthly assistance payments, or winter aid programmes administered by the National Aid Fund (NAF). The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) also funds places in residential care homes for elderly Jordanians who lack the means to pay privately. These programmes serve as vital safety nets, but they are means-tested and targeted at citizens living in poverty rather than constituting entitlements open to all.

Jordan’s Constitution enshrines the right to basic social and health services for its citizens, and the state devotes comparatively high levels of expenditure to social sectors. Nevertheless, there is no single overarching social protection law; instead, provision is distributed across a range of plans and programmes. This structure differs markedly from countries such as Germany or Japan, which have enacted dedicated long-term care insurance legislation creating universal entitlements for all residents.

In November 2024, the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), working together with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA), launched Jordan’s National Elderly Strategy 2025–2030. This represents a meaningful advance in the country’s approach to ageing, integrating healthcare, social protection, and financial security objectives to support a dignified life for older Jordanians.

Organisations such as HelpAge International have called on the Jordanian government to introduce a universal social pension set at a level sufficient to meet basic needs. As of 2025, no such non-contributory universal pension has been established. Readers should consult the Ministry of Social Development and the Social Security Corporation for the latest eligibility criteria, benefit thresholds, and programme updates.

What residential, care home, and nursing home options exist in Jordan?

Residential facilities, often referred to as nursing homes, represent one of the main formal care options for older adults in Jordan. These homes provide accommodation, meals, and essential care, and their costs can vary considerably; the majority are privately owned and operated. The sector is most developed in Amman, though facilities are also found in other cities and governorates across the country.

Residential care provision in Jordan spans several distinct tiers. At the community-based end of the spectrum, some organisations support older adults in remaining in their own homes with practical assistance. The Nakheel Society for Voluntary Social Services, for example, offers home-based support to elderly individuals including home visits, help with medication management, and assistance with daily tasks.

Nursing homes — or skilled nursing facilities — represent the most intensive care option, providing round-the-clock medical attention delivered by staff trained in advanced medical and therapy services. The Makkah Al-Mukarramah Nursing Home in Amman is one such facility, offering medical care, therapeutic services, and social activities; it is run by a non-profit organisation that relies on donations. Other Amman-based facilities include the Al Rowwad Senior Citizen’s Home and the Nayef Al-Fayez Senior Citizen Home, which focuses on rehabilitation and long-term care.

Quality across facilities varies considerably. Non-profit and charity-run homes typically operate on constrained budgets, while more upmarket private establishments provide broader medical and amenity provision. A recognised shortage of specialists — including psychologists and social workers — exists within Jordan’s eldercare sector. Regulatory oversight of care homes rests primarily with the Ministry of Social Development, which is responsible for licensing, inspection, and regulation. The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) also plays a coordinating and policy development role. Anyone considering a residential placement should verify that the chosen facility holds a valid, current MoSD licence before proceeding.

How much does elderly care cost in Jordan?

Standardised, publicly available cost data for elderly care in Jordan is not published in the way it is in many other countries, and pricing differs significantly between providers, locations, and levels of care. Private nursing homes can be expensive, and many are independently owned and operated. As a general point of reference, costs are considerably lower than those in Western Europe or North America, but can still place a meaningful financial burden on families relative to local income levels and pension amounts.

As a broad guide, community-based or home care services delivered through NGOs may be available at low or no cost for qualifying low-income Jordanian citizens, while privately arranged home care workers are typically engaged on hourly or daily rates. Basic residential care in a charitable or subsidised setting may cost in the region of JOD 200–400 per month (as of 2024), while private nursing home care with medical support can range from JOD 500 to JOD 1,000 or more monthly, depending on the level of provision and the facilities on offer. These are indicative figures only — up-to-date fee schedules should be requested directly from providers, and the Ministry of Social Development consulted for any published guidance or subsidy thresholds.

Costs also vary by geography. Facilities in central Amman, particularly those offering Western-standard amenities, tend to be priced higher than those in smaller cities or rural governorates. Older people in Jordan face documented gaps in available services, including a shortage of leisure facilities, day clubs, elderly-friendly public infrastructure, and free home-care provision. These deficiencies mean that self-funded private care must often cover services that would be publicly provided in other contexts.

Can expats access elderly care in Jordan, and are there any restrictions?

Publicly funded and state-subsidised elderly care in Jordan is directed principally at Jordanian nationals. National social protection programmes and data in Jordan typically refer to citizens only, except where explicitly stated otherwise. This means that foreign nationals — including long-term residents, retirees on renewable visas, and others in the expat community — are not generally entitled to the means-tested state benefits that fund residential care placements or home-based care subsidies.

Jordan does not currently offer a dedicated retirement visa of the kind available in certain other countries. Residency for older expats typically depends on sponsored employment visas, family reunification arrangements, or annually renewable residency permits. Entitlement to contributory pension and benefits through the Social Security Corporation is generally tied to formal employment in Jordan and a track record of contributions, making it inaccessible to most retirees who arrive later in life without a history of Jordanian employment.

Jordan’s public health and care system is relatively affordable for citizens, but it may not adequately meet the requirements of international residents in terms of availability or scope of coverage. For expats, private health insurance and personal savings are therefore the primary means of accessing quality elderly care. There is no EU versus non-EU distinction in access to Jordanian care; the essential dividing line is between Jordanian nationals and non-nationals. Expats contemplating long-term residence in Jordan for retirement or care purposes should obtain specialist legal advice on residency rights and access entitlements before committing to any plans.

What private elderly care and international options are available in Jordan?

Jordan has a well-established private healthcare sector with a solid international reputation. Many expats and internationally mobile individuals gravitate towards private facilities because of their speed of access, convenience, and higher levels of equipment and staffing. This extends to elder care, where private nursing homes and assisted living options in Amman offer markedly superior amenities and specialist staffing compared to charitable alternatives.

Private care homes in Amman are increasingly providing dedicated dementia and memory care units, physiotherapy services, and structured social activity programmes. While large-scale retirement communities of the type found in parts of Spain, Portugal, or Thailand have not yet emerged in Jordan, smaller private residential facilities serving mixed national populations do exist. Some Amman-based facilities employ multilingual staff. Arabic remains the dominant language in care environments, however, so expats without Arabic language skills should enquire specifically about language support when evaluating any facility.

For those considering Jordan as a place to retire rather than a care destination per se, the cost of private home support — whether through a live-in carer or part-time assistance — is generally more affordable than in Western Europe, though the quality, level of training, and continuity of care can vary. International placement agencies can sometimes help with sourcing qualified carers, though this remains a less developed market than in countries with long-established care staffing industries.

Jordan’s private healthcare system is widely favoured among internationally mobile residents for its faster service and minimal waiting times, though it comes at a higher price than the public sector. The same dynamic applies to residential care: private facilities offer more immediate access and greater comfort, but the costs must be borne entirely by the individual for the majority of expats.

What role does health insurance play in covering elderly care in Jordan?

Health insurance is among the key benefits that most employers in Jordan extend to their staff, and it is compulsory for many expatriate workers depending on their role or specialism. Where an employer does not provide cover, local and international insurers operating in Jordan offer a variety of plans for foreign residents. That said, standard health insurance — whether domestic or international — typically addresses acute medical treatment rather than the ongoing costs of residential or nursing care.

Long-term care insurance as a standalone product is not widely available in Jordan’s domestic insurance market. Expat retirees seeking financial protection against residential nursing home costs will generally need to secure a dedicated international long-term care or senior expatriate health policy from a global insurer, ideally before or shortly after relocating. The older a person is at the time of application, the more restricted and costly the available options become, making early planning essential.

When scrutinising any insurance policy for elderly care coverage in Jordan, key considerations include: whether residential nursing home care is included or specifically excluded; whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered; the annual benefit cap; and whether the policy provides for medical repatriation to your home country if required. It is also important to ensure that the plan covers inpatient hospital stays, outpatient clinic visits, and emergency situations. Some global insurers offer policies tailored specifically to senior expatriates — review the terms carefully and compare multiple providers before deciding.

Jordan’s Social Security Corporation runs a contributory social insurance scheme for workers registered in the formal economy. In June 2022, the ILO and the Social Security Corporation launched the Estidama++ Fund, providing phased contribution subsidies for self-employed and waged workers, with priority given to women and refugees. While this initiative aims to broaden social security coverage, it is not a long-term care insurance product and would not directly fund nursing home placements for most expats.

What should expats consider when planning for elderly care in Jordan?

Forward planning is indispensable for expats who intend to grow old in Jordan or who have elderly family members living there. Because publicly funded social care is oriented primarily towards Jordanian nationals, foreign residents need to put private financial arrangements in place well before any care needs materialise. The checklist below sets out the key areas to address in sequence.

1. Assess your residency status and long-term visa options. Confirm whether your existing visa or residency permit remains renewable as you age, and establish whether the conditions change once employment ends. A Jordanian immigration lawyer can clarify the options available to you.
2. Research and arrange adequate private health and care insurance. Standard health insurance rarely extends to residential nursing care costs. Explore international senior or long-term care insurance options at an early stage — premiums rise considerably with age, and pre-existing conditions can result in exclusions.
3. Understand power of attorney rules under Jordanian law. Should you lose mental capacity, it is important to know in advance who holds legal authority over your affairs. Jordanian law governs this question, and the position for foreign nationals may differ from that in your home country. A local notary or solicitor can assist you in establishing a valid Jordanian power of attorney.
4. Investigate advance care directives. Advance care planning is less formally structured in Jordan than in parts of Europe, but committing your wishes to writing and discussing them with your doctor and family retains real value. Enquire with your healthcare provider how those preferences would be acknowledged within a Jordanian care context.
5. Clarify next-of-kin rights for foreign nationals. If you require hospitalisation or emergency residential care, ensure that your designated next of kin — even if based overseas — holds the documentation needed to act on your behalf. The embassy or consulate of your home country can provide relevant guidance.
6. Visit and vet care facilities in advance. If there is a possibility you will need residential care, visit a range of facilities, verify their MoSD licences, speak with staff and current residents where possible, and confirm the languages in use. Do not base decisions on websites or marketing brochures alone.
7. Plan your finances specifically for care costs. Earmark dedicated funds for care needs. Costs are highly variable and tend to increase over time. A financial adviser with experience of the expat market in Jordan can help you structure your arrangements efficiently from both a tax and legal perspective.
8. Register with your home country’s embassy in Amman. Most embassies hold directories of vetted local lawyers, medical practitioners, and support services for their nationals in difficulty, including elderly residents who may need emergency assistance.

What are the best official sources of information on elderly care in Jordan?

When researching elderly care in Jordan, it is essential to verify information through authoritative government and institutional sources, as eligibility rules, fee thresholds, and facility listings are subject to change. The most reliable starting points are set out below.

• Ministry of Social Development (MoSD): The principal government body responsible for licensing and regulating care homes, overseeing means-tested welfare programmes for older people, and administering subsidised residential placements for low-income Jordanian nationals.
• Ministry of Health (MoH): Responsible for public healthcare delivery and relevant to any medically supervised nursing or rehabilitation care. The Ministry’s website provides information on public hospital services and health insurance schemes.
• Social Security Corporation (SSC): The public body administering Jordan’s contributory social insurance and pension arrangements. Of particular relevance to expats who have been formally employed in Jordan and may have accrued contributory entitlements.
• National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA): The coordinating body for national strategies on ageing, family welfare, and social policy. The NCFA led development of the National Elderly Strategy 2025–2030 and is a key source of policy developments affecting older residents.
• Jordanian National Strategy on Older Persons 2025–2030 (UNESCWA): The full strategy document, accessible through the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, setting out governmental commitments across healthcare, housing, social protection, and the legal rights of older people.
• Your home country’s embassy in Amman: Can supply lists of vetted legal advisers, medical professionals, and support resources for foreign nationals, including those who require emergency residential care assistance.

Always request current fee schedules, eligibility criteria, and accreditation certificates directly from care providers and the MoSD. Conditions across Jordan’s care sector are evolving as the National Elderly Strategy moves into the implementation phase.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elderly Care in Jordan

Is there a publicly funded nursing home system in Jordan that expats can access?

Subsidised nursing home placements in Jordan are directed primarily at Jordanian nationals who are in financial need. The Ministry of Social Development funds care home places for elderly Jordanians who cannot afford to pay privately. Foreign nationals are generally not eligible for these subsidised places and must therefore make their own private funding arrangements. Always confirm the current eligibility requirements directly with the Ministry of Social Development.

What language is used in Jordanian care homes — will there be a language barrier?

Arabic is the dominant language in virtually every care home setting across Jordan. In higher-end private facilities in Amman, some staff members may communicate in English or other languages, but this should never be taken for granted. If you or a family member would need care delivered in a language other than Arabic, it is essential to ask specifically about language capabilities when visiting and assessing any facility. Appointing a bilingual advocate or family liaison to maintain communication with care staff may also prove helpful.

How do I find and check the licence of a care home in Jordan?

All care homes operating in Jordan must hold a licence issued by the Ministry of Social Development. When evaluating any facility, ask to see its current MoSD licence and check the date of the most recent inspection. The MoSD can be contacted directly to confirm a facility’s registration status. Do not rely on marketing materials or websites alone — always request official documentation.

What happens if an elderly expat in Jordan has no family nearby and needs emergency residential care?

In an emergency, a person may be admitted to a public hospital through the Ministry of Health system for acute treatment. Securing a residential care placement is a more complex process for foreign nationals without local family support. It is strongly advisable to register with your home country’s embassy in Amman, ensure that a valid power of attorney is in place, and identify at least one suitable private care facility that could accept you at short notice. Comprehensive international health insurance that includes a medical assistance helpline is invaluable in this type of situation.

Does private health insurance cover nursing home care in Jordan?

The majority of standard health insurance policies — whether local Jordanian plans or conventional international health cover — focus on acute medical treatment and do not extend to the ongoing costs of residential nursing home care. To protect against long-term care expenses in Jordan, you will typically need a specialist long-term care or senior expatriate insurance policy. Examine the policy terms carefully for exclusions, annual benefit caps, and conditions relating to residential and nursing care before committing to a purchase.

How does Jordan’s pension system affect elderly expats?

Jordan’s pension provision is neither sufficiently generous for the cost of living nor sufficiently accessible to cover all elderly people. Entitlement to a Social Security Corporation pension requires a documented history of formal employment and contributions within Jordan. The majority of expats who retire to Jordan without having worked there formally will have no entitlement to a Jordanian state pension and must depend on personal savings, a pension from their country of origin, or investment income. Thorough financial planning well ahead of any relocation is strongly recommended.

Are there dementia or memory care facilities in Jordan?

Specialist dementia and memory care remains a relatively underdeveloped area within Jordan’s care sector, though some private nursing homes in Amman do offer dedicated dementia units or staff with specialist training. Availability and quality vary considerably, and a well-documented shortage of specialists — including psychologists and social workers — exists across the eldercare field in Jordan. If memory care is a specific priority, visit multiple facilities and ask targeted questions about dementia-trained staff, secure environments, and structured activity programmes before reaching a decision.

Is Jordan’s elderly care sector improving?

In November 2024, Jordan unveiled its National Elderly Strategy 2025–2030, developed by the National Council for Family Affairs in collaboration with UN partners, with the keynote address delivered by the Minister of Social Development. The strategy brings together healthcare, social protection, and financial security objectives, representing a significant commitment to the country’s growing older population. While implementation is still in its early stages, the overall direction is encouraging, and expats planning long-term residence in Jordan should keep track of developments through the NCFA and MoSD websites.