Long term care reform in England: a long and unfinished story

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Reforms in Long Term Care Policies in Europe describes and interprets the changes recently introduced in long-term care policies in Western Europe. The volume argues that recent reforms have brought about an increasing convergence in LTC policies across Western Europe. Most of the new programs have developed a new general approach to long-term care, based on a better integration of social care and health care.

Over the last two decades, many changes have happened to the social welfare policies of various industrial countries. Citizens have seen their pensions, unemployment benefits, and general healthcare policies shrink as 'belt tightening' measures are enforced. But in contrast, long-term care has seen a general growth in public financing, an expansion of beneficiaries, and, more generally, an attempt to define larger social responsibilities and related social rights.

The book explores increasing public support given to family care work (in the past, the family would take care of the elderly or infirm) and increasing growth and recognition of a extended social care market (by which care has shifted from a moral obligation based on family reciprocity to a paid, professional activity). A new social care arrangement has therefore been developing in Western countries, based on a new mix of family obligations, market provision, and public support. In order to understand such changes, the analysis in Reforms in Long Term Care Policies in Europe will take into account the social and economical impact of these reforms.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationReforms in Long Term Care Policies in Europe
Subtitle of host publicationInvestigating Institutional Change and Social Impacts
EditorsCostanzo Ranci, Emmanuele Pavolini
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherSpringer
Pages179-200
Number of pages22
ISBN (Print)978-1-4614-4501-2
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Keywords

  • long term care
  • Europe
  • comparative
  • social care
  • Health care
  • family
  • informal care

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