scholarly journals How to understand informal caregiving patterns in Europe? The role of formal long-term care provisions and family care norms

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Verbakel
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Informal Caregiving ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Term Care

Aims: Motivated by ageing populations, healthcare policies increasingly emphasize the role of informal care. This study examines how prevalence rates of informal caregivers and intensive caregivers (i.e. those who provide informal care for at least 11 hours a week) vary between European countries, and to what extent informal caregiving and intensive caregiving relate to countries’ formal long-term care provisions and family care norms. Methods: Multilevel logistic regression analyses on data from the European Social Survey Round 7 ( n = 32,894 respondents in n = 19 countries) were used to test (a) contradicting hypotheses regarding the role of formal long-term care provisions based on crowding-out, crowding-in and specialization arguments and (b) the hypothesis that strong family care norms are positively related to (intensive) informal caregiving. Results: Prevalence rates of informal caregiving varied between European countries, from 20% to 44%. Intensive caregiving ranged from 4% to 11%. Opposite patterns regarding the role of formal long-term care provisions were revealed: generous long-term care provisions in a country were related to a higher likelihood of providing informal care, but a lower likelihood of providing intensive care. Moreover, intensive caregiving was more likely when family care norms in a country were strong. Conclusions: This study provided support for the specialization argument by showing that generous formal long-term care provisions crowded-out intensive caregiving, but also encouraged more people to provide (some) informal care. Because especially intensive caregiving is burdensome, low levels of formal long-term care provisions might bring risks to caregivers’ well-being and healthcare systems’ sustainability.

scholarly journals Informal carer in Portugal: moving towards political recognition in Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Fronteira ◽  
J Simoes ◽  
G Augusto
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Informal Carer ◽  
Term Care ◽  
System Perspective ◽  
Informal Carers

Abstract Informal care represents around 80% of all long term care provided in EU countries. Nevertheless, the needs for this type of care are expected to increase in the coming years in all OECD countries. Portugal is among the OECD countries with the highest ageing index (21.5% of the population was older than 65 years in 2017) due to high life expectancy and low fertility rates. As this demographic trend establishes, Portugal is expected to have more than 40% of the population over 65 years in 2037, and the expected prevalence of dementia is 3%, in 2050. In 2015 there were 2.1% of people over 65 receiving long-term care, representing 52% of all long-term care users. Around 38% were receiving care at home. It is estimated that 287,000 people in Portugal depend on informal carers. The agenda towards the official recognition of informal cares has been push forward in the country. Since 2015, several recommendations have been issued by the Parliament as well as legislative initiatives and a proposal for a Status of the Informal Carer is currently under discussion. We analyse the process of formulation of this policy in terms of sectors and stakeholders involved, definition and scope of informal carer, rights and obligations, role of the person being cared for, formal protection (e.g., labor, social, financial, training) and implementation. Recognition of the informal carer is a sector wide approach. One of the main features is the economic, social and labor protection mainly through reconciliation between work life and caring activities and promotion of the carer’s well being. Notwithstanding, and from a health system perspective, community health teams are to be the focal point for informal carers, supporting and providing specific training whenever needed. Despite its relevance, informal care should not be professionalized and responsibility of care should not be shifted from health services to informal carers. Key messages Needs for informal care are expected to increase in the coming years in OECD countries. Recognition of the informal carer is a sector wide approach.

Staff–resident interactions in long-term care for people with dementia: the role of meeting psychological needs in achieving residents’ well-being

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 444-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette M. Willemse ◽  
Murna Downs ◽  
Lonneke Arnold ◽  
Dieneke Smit ◽  
Jacomine de Lange ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Term Care ◽  
People With Dementia

scholarly journals The perceptions of workers in a long-term care institution for older adults regarding the family

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 971-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiana Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Margrid Beuter ◽  
Nara Marilene Oliveira Girardon-Perlini ◽  
Lisiane Manganelli Girardi Paskulin ◽  
Marinês Tambara Leite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Institution ◽  
The Family

This study aimed to investigate the perception of the workers in a Long-Term Care Institution for the Elderly regarding the families of the older adults in the institution. It is qualitative research, undertaken with 16 workers of the multidisciplinary team. Data collection occurred in February-June 2012, through semi-structured interviews. The technique used for treatment of the data was thematic analysis. The results indicate that the family members visit the Long-Term Care Institution for the Elderly rarely, with commemorative dates being the main occasions in which they appear. The workers evidenced some situations of abandonment, in which the family does not visit the older adult even when called. They understand that nobody can substitute the role of the family, as it is the reference for the older adults. Therefore, spending time with the family can positively influence the well-being of the older adults in institutions.

scholarly journals BURDEN OF FAMILY CARE-GIVERS AND THE RATIONING IN THE LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE BENEFITS OF JAPAN

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (01) ◽  
pp. 121-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
WATARU SUZUKI ◽  
SEIRITSU OGURA ◽  
NOBUYUKI IZUMIDA
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Home Helper ◽  
Long Term Care Insurance

Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI), introduced in Japan in 2000, is rapidly turning into a system of rationed benefits due to financial difficulty. Based on our survey of 2,530 family care-givers and the Zarit Care-Giver Burden Index, we have examined how LTCI is affecting their subjective burden. We have found that, as Kishida and Tanigaki (2004) had shown, (i) insufficient provision of short-term stays, day services and home-helper services, as well as (ii) disruptive or antisocial behaviors of the elderly, increase the care-giver's burden. We then argue that (iii) these results establish the positive contribution of LTCI in the well-being of family care-givers, (iv) short-term stay is the most efficient service, followed by home-helper service, and day service is the least efficient, and we show that (v) J-ZBIC-8 works well enough for many practical purposes.

Financing and Policy for Long-Term Care

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandrina Stoyanova ◽  
David Cantarero-Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Traditional Pattern ◽  
The Right

Long-term care (LTC) systems entitle frail and disabled people, who experience declines in physical and mental capacities, to quality care and support from an appropriately trained workforce and aim to preserve individual health and promote personal well-being for people of all ages. Myriad social factors pose significant challenges to LTC services and systems worldwide. Leading among these factors is the aging population—that is, the growing proportion of older people, the main recipients of LTC, in the population—and the implications not only for the health and social protection sectors, but almost all other segments of society. The number of elderly citizens has increased significantly in recent years in most countries and regions, and the pace of that growth is expected to accelerate in the forthcoming decades. The rapid demographic evolution has been accompanied by substantial social changes that have modified the traditional pattern of delivery LTC. Although families (and friends) still provide most of the help and care to relatives with functional limitations, changes in the population structure, such as weakened family ties, increased participation of women in the labor market, and withdrawal of early retirement policies, have resulted in a decrease in the provision of informal care. Thus, the growing demands for care, together with a lower potential supply of informal care, is likely to put pressure on the provision of formal care services in terms of both quantity and quality. Other related concerns include the sustainable financing of LTC services, which has declined significantly in recent years, and the pursuit of equity. The current institutional background regarding LTC differs substantially across countries, but they all face similar challenges. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that allows for the adoption of the “right” mix of policies between those aiming at informal care and those focusing on the provision and financing of formal LTC services.

scholarly journals Developing a Supplemental Assessment Tool for Younger Residents in Long-Term Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-173
Author(s):  
Emma J. Hazelton-Provo
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Time Of Admission

Background It has been established that the needs of long-term care resi­dents under 65 are distinct from those of older residents, and that these needs are not sufficiently met through the current model of LTC. Our goal was to create a supplemental assess­ment tool that can be used at the time of assessment to better represent the needs of this population. Methods Residents in the target age group (between 18 and 64), and staff who work with the target age group, were interviewed individually to identify important questions to be asked in the assessment tool. A preliminary tool was presented to the participants in a focus group, and feedback was used to make modifications to the tool. Results Questions developed from the study addressed several unique needs of this population, including the role of technology in their well-being, the need for time with visitors, and the need for supports as they transition in to LTC. Conclusions The needs of younger residents in LTC are unique, and through interviews with residents and staff we developed an assessment tool to better represent those needs at the time of admission.

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