Policies for Later-Life Families in a Comparative European Perspective

Abstract

AbstractIn this chapter, we consider cross-national differences in policies for later-life families in Europe, focusing on state support freeing family members from caring responsibilities or enabling them to care. These policies come under the umbrella of long-term care (LTC), help required by persons with a reduced degree of functional capacity for an extended period of time. Publicly funded LTC includes “in-kind” services, where care is provided by professionals at home or in an institution, and “cash benefits” which can be used to purchase professional care or which can be paid to informal caregivers as income support. Apart from long-term care for dependents themselves, there are policies supporting family members in their caregiving tasks: “cash for care” (financial compensation for helping those with impairments), “care leaves” (the right to be absent from work in order to care), and “care credits” (time spent on caring that is credited towards a basic pension).