Abstract

Long-term care (LTC) is labour-intensive – that is, to a large extent it involves one person providing support to another. As such, the ability of LTC systems to provide people with the support that they need is dependent on having an adequate supply of LTC workers with adequate skills and training. However, with demand for LTC expected to increase in the future, many OECD countries are struggling to develop a workforce that can meet the needs of their populations. Low pay and tough working conditions mean that recruitment can be difficult and turnover is high.

Drawing on the data that the OECD collects on the LTC workforce, as well as the international literature on this topic, this presentation will give an overview of what the LTC workforce looks like now, how it may have to change in the future, the challenges that countries face in growing and developing the workforce and the types of policy that countries have implemented to try to address these challenges.

Slides