Projecting the effects of long-term care policy on the labor market participation of primary informal family caregivers of elderly with disability: insights from a dynamic simulation model.

John P Ansah,David B Matchar,Chang Liu,Rahul Malhotra,Young Do,Sean R Love

doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0243-0

John P Ansah, David B Matchar + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-016-0243-0

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Abstract

BackgroundUsing Singapore as a case study, this paper aims to understand the effects of the current long-term care policy and various alternative policy options on the labor market participation of primary informal family caregivers of elderly with disability.MethodsA model of the long-term care system in Singapore was developed using System Dynamics methodology.ResultsUnder the current long-term care policy, by 2030, 6.9 percent of primary informal family caregivers (0.34 percent of the domestic labor supply) are expected to withdraw from the labor market. Alternative policy options reduce primary informal family caregiver labor market withdrawal; however, the number of workers required to scale up long-term care services is greater than the number of caregivers who can be expected to return to the labor market.ConclusionsPolicymakers may face a dilemma between admitting more foreign workers to provide long-term care services and depending on primary informal family caregivers.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0243-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

Using Singapore as a case study, this paper aims to understand the effects of the current long-term care policy and various alternative policy options on the labor market participation of primary informal family caregivers of elderly with disability
Given Singapore’s dynamic socio-political environment and its significant demographic changes characterized by decades of subreplacement level fertility rates and decreasing average family size [8], a remarkable increase in the magnitude of informal family caregiver burden is expected in Singapore [9]
In attempting to fill this knowledge gap, this study initially aims to determine the relationship between informal caregiving and labor market participation in Singapore

Summary

Introduction

Using Singapore as a case study, this paper aims to understand the effects of the current long-term care policy and various alternative policy options on the labor market participation of primary informal family caregivers of elderly with disability. Maximal labor participation is encouraged, with citizens recognized as a key resource in the city-state [7]. This tension in policy highlights the need for policymakers and researchers to understand the impact of LTC policies on informal family caregivers, and strive for balance in labor participation and informal caregiving. Since 1995, legislation in the form of the Maintenance of Parents Act has allowed residents above 60 who are unable to support themselves to claim monthly allowances or lump sum payment from children capable of supporting them

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