Abstract
The caregiver support ratio (CSR) is defined as the number of potential caregivers aged 45–64 years, the most common caregiving age range, for each person aged 80+, the subgroup of older adults most at risk of needing long-term services and support. This study uses data from the CENSUS HUB database and from the UN database to calculate the current (last year available: 2011) and projected (2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050) CSR for a group of European countries. Mediterranean countries, France, Belgium, and Sweden presented the lowest CSR (5:1) in 2011. The countries with the highest CSR were Slovakia (9:1) and Ireland, Poland, Cyprus, and Malta (8:1). The estimated CSR is expected to progressively decline from 6:1 (2011) to 2:1 (2050) for all countries. Although differences in the CSR exist between countries, the number of people aged 45–64 who are available to care for each person aged 80+ will decrease uniformly in the coming decades. Cross-national challenges for gerontological social policies and healthcare provision are expected due to the increasing demand for long-term care among the oldest population.
Highlights
Caregivers are defined as someone who provides continued care and assistance to a care recipient on a regular basis
Following the original report published by the Association of Retired Persons’ (AARP) Public Policy Institute (USA), caregiver support ratio (CSR) was used to estimate the availability of potential caregivers in the EU, both currently and over the upcoming decades
The CSR does not have a unique distribution by geography, welfare systems [13] or elder care country-clusters and care regimes [14], what seems clear is the fact that four Mediterranean countries (Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy) presented the lower values of CSR practically in all time periods considered in this analysis
Summary
Caregivers are defined as someone who provides continued care and assistance to a care recipient on a regular basis. The term frequently refers to family members or friends that help other people in everyday activities, whether in co-residence or not, and on a daily or weekly schedule [1]. Family caregivers represent a significant and often invisible part in the healthcare systems, as frail older adults regularly depend on them for assistance with daily living activities, manage complex care, provide emotional support, participate in decision-making, and communicate with healthcare providers [2]. 45–64 available for each person aged 80+ [3]. In other words, it globally measures the most common caregiving age range divided by the number of older people most at risk of needing long-term service and support (LTSS).
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