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

Mirian Fernández Salido, Carolina Moreno-Castro, Francesco Belletti, Stecy Yghemonos, Jorge Garcès Ferrer and Georgia Casanova
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Mirian Fernández Salido: Instituto de Investigación en Políticas de Bienestar Social (POLIBIENESTAR)—Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy, Universitat de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Carolina Moreno-Castro: Instituto de Investigación en Políticas de Bienestar Social (POLIBIENESTAR)—Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy, Universitat de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Francesco Belletti: International Center for Family Studies (CISF), 20122 Milan, Italy
Stecy Yghemonos: European Association Working for Carers (Eurocarers), 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium
Jorge Garcès Ferrer: Instituto de Investigación en Políticas de Bienestar Social (POLIBIENESTAR)—Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy, Universitat de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Georgia Casanova: Instituto de Investigación en Políticas de Bienestar Social (POLIBIENESTAR)—Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy, Universitat de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: LTC 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.

Keywords: older people; families; long-term care; welfare systems; informal care; socio-economic support; policies; comparative study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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