Adult Care: an International Perspective

Traditions vary across the globe in how to deal with <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= >adult care</a>. With the rise in economic costs, healthcare and changes in moral views, differences and traditions, families are really re-evaluating how they choose to care for the elderly in their lives. Recently in the U.S. and some European countries people have started to change perspectives on whether or not to use <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= >nursing homes</a> or assisted living facilities in their care. In the past, large healthcare institutions have been given the reputation of being impersonal and often abusive. As a result, families are using much more personal approaches in the care for their family members.

Around the world there are very different ways in which the elderly are cared for. In countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark the UK and Australia, with universal healthcare comes the need to balance the cost of this care while also providing both private care as well as care that is community-based. However, in nations like Asia, Africa and Latin America elderly care still remains a mostly family issue. While some churches and other organizations may be involved with, most families are large and keep the care within the folds of the family. There are very few facilities that even exist as an option and most families don’t have the financial option to choose private care.

Both China and Japan are different yet again. While China is growing rapidly economically, Japan’s elderly population is growing the fastest of any other industrialized nation. In both these countries the focus really remains on the family unit and keeping family traditions alive and strong. Especially in China, the government really focuses on upholding customs that are very traditional. Since Japan has such a large growth in their elderly populations they are looking toward the future to find out what types of solutions may be offered. The government is really focused on looking to really strengthen the lives of the elderly and offer services that would be good for their health and well-being. Whereas in China you will really only find facilities that are for shorter term issues and limited care.

Finally, there are many countries where adult care is not even a problem. There are many countries where adults are dying very young so elderly care does not even become a necessity. In all the countries mentioned above the average age is much older. These countries must be thankful that they have this problem. While the government works toward finding solutions to keep the family unit strong while also offering options for those families that don’t have the ability to care for their elderly at home, each family needs to find a method that works for them.

While some countries would argue that they value the family unit more because they don’t put their elderly into adult day care, assisted living or nursing homes, every country must understand its unique value system. Ultimately each family must decide for themselves which option is right for them. Thorough research and talking with the family member needing the care will help you make a decision on what is right for your family.