Long-term care financing: lessons for low- and middle-income settings: brief 8: ensuring financial sustainability in long-term care

Financial sustainability in long-term care requires equitable access, balanced funding, diverse revenue sources, cost-containment, and preventive health investments says this policy brief published by the WHO Centre for Health Development as part of the series on long-term financing.

This policy brief addresses the essential components for achieving financial sustainability in long-term care (LTC) systems. It outlines the need for policies that ensure equitable access to services, balance revenues and expenditures, and consider the broader economic impacts of LTC investments. The brief highlights that mature LTC systems typically establish revenue targets and create special funds to fill local funding gaps, utilising intergenerational funding and diverse revenue sources. Countries with payroll-funded LTC insurance focus on labour market policies to support these programs.

Additionally, the brief advocates for reducing LTC demand through preventive measures, including the use of cost-effective technologies and home modifications to promote independence among older adults. It underscores the necessity of lifelong health investments in LMICs to prevent disabilities and delay LTC needs, integrating prevention and management of conditions like dementia and stroke into health and LTC packages.

Long-term care financing: lessons for low- and middle-income settings Brief 8. Ensuring financial sustainability in long-term care

Reference

Long-term care financing: lessons for low- and middle-income settings: brief 8: ensuring financial sustainability in long-term care, WHO Centre for Health Development

Published On

06 Jun 2024

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