24.10.2019

Against Populism in the Long-term Care Debate

"Der Standard": WIFO Commentary by Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger and Christoph Badelt

In their guest commentary in the daily newspaper "Der Standard" of 24 October 2019, WIFO Director Christoph Badelt and his deputy Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger give an overview of which questions in the long-term care debate should be urgently answered and put on the political agenda.

In Austria, long-term care is mainly provided by relatives. Both the mobile and the inhouse long-term sector are relatively weakly developed. However, social developments are putting pressure on the long-term care capacities of relatives. Women have stronger links to the labour market today, and the trend will intensify as education expands. This is positive for families, the economy and women. However, the organisation of long-term care must not lead to a problematic burden for women – this must be taken into account when reforming nursing care.

Please find the complete commentary here.