Family Care of Older People in Europe

Family Care of Older People in Europe
Summary of Results of EUROFAMCARE Study
(Project Co-ordinator Dr. H. Dohner)

Value of family care-giving

Family care is the backbone of care-giving almost all over Europe: except for Sweden, in all countries the family is regarded as the main responsible institution of elderly care.
The economic value of care-giving is enormous.
Carers endorse positive statements about their caring experience to a greater degree than they endorse negative statements.
On the other hand, care-giving leads to income loss and other kinds of burden.
Support for family caregivers makes sense, both socially and economically.

Service use

More than three quarters of all carers never use specific support services: in Poland (high costs), Italy (bureaucratic procedures) and Greece (services not available or too far away) service users are less than 3%!
Up to one third of all carers uses generic services instead.

Still: the vast majority of carers does not use any service at all. The reasons are (besides “no need”):

• Older persons’ or carers’ attitude and high costs


• If service use has been stopped the reason is mainly the high cost.


• If services are available and used, however, satisfaction is high.


• Low quality of support and care endangers optimal service utilization.
  

Actions for the Future

EUROCARERS – European Association Working for Carers

Initiated by members of the CARMEN AND EUROFAMCARE teams

• Consists of a European network of carers’ organizations, researcher and development organizations who try to act as a voice for carers and to advocate on issues relevant for carers.


• Aims at promoting the establishment of national carers’ organizations


• Intends to initiate a European Carers Day


• Is currently finalizing the draft for a European Carers’ Charter developed by the EUROFAMCARE team.
  

Abridged

SOURCE: europadoteu

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