Ageing and Society, 24(2), March 2004, pp.189-212.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Uses qualitative data from a cross-national study of ‘cash for care’ schemes in five European countries (Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) to consider the concepts of empowerment and independence in relation to both care-users and care-givers. Locates the schemes along two axes, one of regulation/non-regulation, the other whether relatives can be paid or not. Each of the schemes has a different impact both on the care relationship and on the labour market for care. In the Netherlands where relatives can be paid, for example, a fully commodified form of informal care emerges; but in Austria and Italy with low regulation, a mix of informal and formal care-givers/workers has emerged with many international migrant workers. In the UK, direct payments allow care-users to employ local care-workers who deliver care for various lengths of time; while in France a credentialised system means that care-work is delivered by qualified workers but for very short intervals. Concludes that none of these schemes have a simple outcome or advantage, and that the contexts in which they occur and the nature of their regulation has to be understood before drawing conclusions about their impact on empowerment and independence on both sides of the care relationship.
Uses qualitative data from a cross-national study of ‘cash for care’ schemes in five European countries (Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) to consider the concepts of empowerment and independence in relation to both care-users and care-givers. Locates the schemes along two axes, one of regulation/non-regulation, the other whether relatives can be paid or not. Each of the schemes has a different impact both on the care relationship and on the labour market for care. In the Netherlands where relatives can be paid, for example, a fully commodified form of informal care emerges; but in Austria and Italy with low regulation, a mix of informal and formal care-givers/workers has emerged with many international migrant workers. In the UK, direct payments allow care-users to employ local care-workers who deliver care for various lengths of time; while in France a credentialised system means that care-work is delivered by qualified workers but for very short intervals. Concludes that none of these schemes have a simple outcome or advantage, and that the contexts in which they occur and the nature of their regulation has to be understood before drawing conclusions about their impact on empowerment and independence on both sides of the care relationship.
Subject terms:
income support, independence, informal care, older people, ageing, carers, comparative studies, direct payments, empowerment, grandparents;
Location(s):
Austria, France, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom
Presents a collection of papers looking at how payments for care schemes are developing across Western and Central Europe, the United States and Canada. Includes discussions of payments to 'volunteers', and consideration of the way in which social security and tax systems work to increase the incomes of care recipients and their carers. Also includes introductory chapters discussing general and theoretical issues involved in the development of systems of payments for care including the labour market, empowerment and the relationship between carers and care recipients.
Presents a collection of papers looking at how payments for care schemes are developing across Western and Central Europe, the United States and Canada. Includes discussions of payments to 'volunteers', and consideration of the way in which social security and tax systems work to increase the incomes of care recipients and their carers. Also includes introductory chapters discussing general and theoretical issues involved in the development of systems of payments for care including the labour market, empowerment and the relationship between carers and care recipients.
Subject terms:
labour market, mixed economy of care, older people, payments, social policy, taxation, carers, children, families, empowerment;
Location(s):
Canada, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Finland, France, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, United Kingdom, United States