Innovating European Long-Term Care Policies through the Socio-Economic Support of Families: A Lesson from Practices

Sustainability

Stecy Yghemonos¹  Carolina Moreno-Castro²  Jorge Garcès Ferrer²  Georgia Casanova²  Mirian Fernández Salido²  Francesco Belletti³ 

[1] European Association Working for Carers (Eurocarers), 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium;Instituto de Investigación en Políticas de Bienestar Social (POLIBIENESTAR)—Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy, Universitat de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain;International Center for Family Studies (CISF), 20122 Milan, Italy;

关键词: older people;    families;    long-term care;    welfare systems;    informal care;    socio-economic support;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su14074097

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

TC and socio-economic deprivation of families are two relevant issues in international debate. The economic or time investment made by families in caregiving has an impact on the socio-economic status of family members in terms of economic means and social inclusion. This study analyzes the practices that are supported by home LTC, examining their characteristics, identifying their strengths, weaknesses, drivers, and barriers, as well as identifying social innovation aspects. The study provides a qualitative interpretative comparison of 22 practices from eight countries, representing the four LTC care models existing in Europe. Cross-studies aid in the development of sustainable policies. The study highlights the differences and similarities between selected practices. The results indicate the effectiveness of integrative and coordination strategies at the macro, meso, and micro levels for the development of supportive policies for family members with burdens of care. Nevertheless, the results underline the lack of a genuine focus on families’ socio-economic support for providing care. The partial support provided by compensatory cash benefits or unpaid care leave schemes partially addresses the difficulties of familial burden of care. The study recommends that fair economic compensation and social security benefits be incorporated into innovative and sustainable strategies for supporting caregiving in LTC and welfare schemes.

【 授权许可】

Unknown