Abstract
A decrease in the working-age population in aging societies causes a shortage of employees in workplaces due to long-term care (LTC) leave for family and relatives as well as longer working hours or overwork among those remaining in the workplace. We collected and analyzed literature and guidelines regarding social-support policies on LTC in workplaces in seven countries (Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the UK, and the USA) to propose an effective way of occupational health support for those in need. Our analysis indicated the existence of a system that incorporates the public-assistance mechanism of providing unused paid leave to those in need. Additionally, recipients of informal care provided by employees tended to expand to non-family members under the current occupational health system. On the other hand, the health management of employees as informal caregivers remained neglected. Likewise, salary compensation and financial support for LTC-related leave need to be improved. In order to monitor and evaluate the progress and achievement of current legal occupational health systems and programs related to the social support of LTC among employees, the available national and/or state-based quantitative data should be comparable at the international level.
Highlights
The demand for long-term care (LTC) has been increasing recently in aging societies
We overviewed the LTC-related social support policies and systems for employees serving as informal caregivers in seven countries as part of occupational health measures
Expanding the eligibility for LTC leave to non-family members will be an asset for both employees and local communities in need of nursing care
Summary
The demand for long-term care (LTC) has been increasing recently in aging societies. A proportion of the total population aged 65 and over among the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has increased from 13.0% to 17.5%over the last two decades since 2000 [1]. The demand for long-term care (LTC) has been increasing recently in aging societies. (ODR) has risen from 19.4% to 27.0% [1] If this trend continues, the ODR is estimated to reach 38.7% in 2040 and 45.2% in 2060, and it is already close to 50% in some countries such as Japan (48.9%) [1]. The ODR is estimated to reach 38.7% in 2040 and 45.2% in 2060, and it is already close to 50% in some countries such as Japan (48.9%) [1] Under such circumstances, the demand for LTC by the working-age population as informal caregivers is likely to increase further in the future. In Europe, regionwide conferences explored challenges and good practices in informal long-term care provision based on the latest LTC policies and legislation [5]. In Japan, the Child and Family Care Leave Law has been revised periodically to promote support for balancing work and family care [6]
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