Care and Demographic Change: Old and New Directions for the European Care Strategy

Abstract

The phenomenon of an aging society is a complex issue in the European Union, resulting in an increasing number of elderly people relying on the financial and social support of a shrinking working-age population. This recognition highlights the need to develop shared strategic directions for care, particularly in the field of long-term care, that can be implemented in practice. Since care falls under the jurisdiction of Member States, the lack of a unified approach and the diversity of existing operational practices necessitated the adoption of the European Care Strategy in September 2022. Based on relevant international literature and policy documents, including the European Care Strategy issued by the European Commission, this study argues that the effective and sustainable functioning of care, encompassing multiple policies with differing impacts and perspectives, requires identifying points of connection and synergies. This points toward the creation of a holistic care policy based on an integrated approach.