Differences between Member States in the provision of home care

9.7.2020

Priority question for written answer P-004079/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Chiara Gemma (NI)

According to ISTAT, in Italy over 80 % of dependent people living at home are over the age of 65, representing around 2.5 million elderly people, and it is estimated that over one fifth of these people suffer from functional impairment that is so severe that they require care at home (20.1 %) or in a residence, such as a nursing home, an assisted-living facility or other such establishment (1.7 %).

With the population steadily ageing across Europe, demand for care services is constantly growing. In August 2018, the European Social Policy Network conducted a study on behalf of the Commission, comparing the situation in the different Member States. It found huge differences, both in terms of the organisations providing the services (public versus private) and how the care was financed and delivered (at home or in dedicated establishments).

In view of the above and the fact that the provision of long-term home care services is the prerogative of the nation states, whereas the role of the EU is primarily to facilitate and foster inter-state cooperation, precisely what initiatives does the Commission intend to carry out to bridge the gap between Member States?