Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

Home care in Europe: a systematic literature review

Authors: Nadine Genet, Wienke GW Boerma, Dionne S Kringos, Ans Bouman, Anneke L Francke, Cecilia Fagerström, Maria Gabriella Melchiorre, Cosetta Greco, Walter Devillé

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Health and social services provided at home are becoming increasingly important. Hence, there is a need for information on home care in Europe. The objective of this literature review was to respond to this need by systematically describing what has been reported on home care in Europe in the scientific literature over the past decade.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed for papers on home care published in English, using the following data bases: Cinahl, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts, and Social Care Online. Studies were only included if they complied with the definition of home care, were published between January 1998 and October 2009, and dealt with at least one of the 31 specified countries. Clinical interventions, instrument developments, local projects and reviews were excluded. The data extracted included: the characteristics of the study and aspects of home care 'policy & regulation', 'financing', 'organisation & service delivery', and 'clients & informal carers'.

Results

Seventy-four out of 5,133 potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria, providing information on 18 countries. Many focused on the characteristics of home care recipients and on the organisation of home care. Geographical inequalities, market forces, quality and integration of services were also among the issues frequently discussed.

Conclusions

Home care systems appeared to differ both between and within countries. The papers included, however, provided only a limited picture of home care. Many studies only focused on one aspect of the home care system and international comparative studies were rare. Furthermore, little information emerged on home care financing and on home care in general in Eastern Europe. This review clearly shows the need for more scientific publications on home care, especially studies comparing countries. A comprehensive and more complete insight into the state of home care in Europe requires the gathering of information using a uniform framework and methodology.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
Jacobzone S, Cambois E, Chaplain E, Robine J: The Health of Older Persons in OECD Countries: Is it Improving Fast Enough to Compensate for Population Ageing?. 1998, Paris: OECD
3.
Lowenstein A, Katz R, Prilutzky D, Mehlhausen-Hassoen D: The intergenerational solidarity paradigm. Aging, intergenerational relations, care systems and quality of life, NOVA Rapport. Edited by: Daatland S, Herlofson K. 2001, Oslo: NOVA Norwegian Social Research, 11-30.
4.
Tarricone R, Tsouros A, (Ed.): Home care in Europe. 2008, Copenhagen: World Health Organization
5.
Tarricone R, Tsouros A, (Ed.): Home care in Europe. 2008, Copenhagen: World Health Organization, vii.
6.
7.
Hutten JBF, Kerkstra A: Home care in Europe: a country-specific guide to its organization and financing. 1996, Aldershot: Ashgate
8.
Marcinowicz L, Chlabicz S, Konstantynowicz J, Gugnowski Z: Involvement of family nurses in home visits during an 8-year period encompassing primary healthcare reforms in Poland. Health & Social Care in the Community. 2009, 17: 327-334. 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2008.00824.x.CrossRef
9.
Kogoj A: Care for people with dementia in Slovenia. Psychiatr Danub. 2008, 20: 217-219.PubMed
10.
Bos JT, Frijters DHM, Wagner C, Carpenter I, Finne-Soveri H, Topinkova E, et al: Variations in quality of home care between sites across Europe, as measured by Home Care Quality Indicators. Aging clinical and experimental research. 2007, 19: 323-329.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Timonen V, Doyle M: From the Workhouse to the Home: Evolution of Care Policy for Older People in Ireland. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. 2008, 28: 76-89. 10.1108/01443330810862151.CrossRef
12.
Doyle M, Timonen V: Breaking the mould: New trajectories in the domiciliary care of older people in Ireland. International Journal of Social Welfare. 2008, 17: 324-332. 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2008.00598.x.CrossRef
13.
Vabo M: Caring for People or Caring for Proxy Consumers?. European Societies. 2006, 8: 403-422. 10.1080/14616690600821990.CrossRef
14.
Johansson L, Sundstrom G, Hassing LB: State provision down, offspring's up: The reverse substitution of old-age care in Sweden. Ageing and Society. 2003, 23: 269-280. 10.1017/S0144686X02001071.CrossRef
15.
Stuart M, Hansen EB: Danish home care policy and the family: implications for the United States. J Aging Soc Policy. 2006, 18: 27-42.PubMed
16.
Clevnert U, Johansson L: Personal assistance in Sweden. Journal of Aging and Social Policy. 2007, 19 (3): 65-80. 10.1300/J031v19n03_05.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Petrakou A: Integrated care in the daily work: coordination beyond organisational boundaries. International Journal of Integrated Care. 2009, 9.
18.
Kendall J, Matosevic T, Forder J, Knapp M, Hardy B, Ware P: The Motivations of Domiciliary Care Providers in England: New Concepts, New Findings. Journal of Social Policy. 2003, 32: 489-511. 10.1017/S0047279403007128.CrossRef
19.
Scourfield P: Issues arising for older people at the 'interface' of intermediate care and social care issues. Research Policy and Planning. 2007, 25 (1): 57-67.
20.
Pilkington G: Homecare re-ablement: why and how providers and commissioners can implement a service. Journal of Care Services Management. 2008, 2 (4): 354-367.CrossRef
21.
McLeod E, Bywaters P, Tanner D, Hirsch M: For the sake of their health: Older service users' requirements for social care to facilitate access to social networks following hospital discharge. British Journal of Social Work. 2008, 38: 73-90. 10.1093/bjsw/bcl341.CrossRef
22.
Kodner DL: Consumer-directed services: lessons and implications for integrated systems of care. International Journal of Integrated Care (Published online 17 June 2003). 2003, 3.
23.
Le Bihan B, Martin C: A comparative case study of care systems for frail elderly people: Germany, Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Sweden. Social Policy and Administration. 2006, 40 (1): 26-46. 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2006.00475.x.CrossRef
24.
Timonen V, Convery J, Cahill S: Care Revolutions in the Making? A Comparison of Cash-for-Care Programmes in Four European Countries. Ageing & Society. 2006, 26: 455-474. 10.1017/S0144686X0600479X.CrossRef
25.
Bode I: Co-Governance within Networks and the Non-Profit -- For-Profit Divide: A Cross-Cultural Perspective on the Evolution of Domiciliary Elderly Care. Public Management Review. 2006, 8: 551-566. 10.1080/14719030601022932.CrossRef
26.
Kroger T: Universalism in Social Care for Older People in Finland -- Weak and Still Getting Weaker. Nordisk Sosialt Arbeid. 2003, 23: 30-34.
27.
Lewinter M: Developments in home help for elderly people in Denmark: the changing concept of home and institution. International Journal of Social Welfare. 2004, 13: 89-96. 10.1111/j.1369-6866.2004.00300.x.CrossRef
28.
Janlov AC, Hallberg IR: Older persons' experience of being assessed for and receiving public home help: do they have any influence over it?. Health and Social Care in the Community. 2006, 14 (1): 26-36. 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2005.00594.x.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Roelands M, Van Oyen H, Depoorter A, Baro F, Van Oost P: Are cognitive impairment and depressive mood associated with increased service utilisation in community-dwelling elderly people?. Health Soc Care Community. 2003, 11: 1-9. 10.1046/j.1365-2524.2003.00401.x.CrossRefPubMed
30.
De Vliegher K, Paquay L, Grypdonck M, Wouters R, Debaillie R, Geys L: A study of core interventions in home nursing. Int J Nurs Stud. 2005, 42: 513-520. 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2004.09.013.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Roelands M, Van Oost P, Depoorter A, Verloo H: Knowing the Diagnosis and Counselling the Relatives of a Person with Dementia: The Perspective of Home Nurses and Home Care Workers in Belgium. Health & Social Care in the Community. 2005, 13: 112-124. 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2005.00531.x.CrossRef
32.
Roelands M, Van Oost P, Depoorter A: Service use in family caregivers of persons with dementia in Belgium: psychological and social factors. Health and Social Care in the Community. 2008, 16 (1): 42-53.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Stuart ME, Weinrich M: Home- and community-based long-term care: Lessons from Denmark. The Gerontologist. 2001, 41: 474-480. 10.1093/geront/41.4.474.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Avlund K, Vass M, Lund R, Yamada Y, Hendriksen C: Influence of psychological characteristics and social relations on receiving preventive home visits in older men and women. European Journal of Ageing. 2008, 5: 191-201. 10.1007/s10433-008-0086-4.CrossRef
35.
Litwin H, Attias-Donfut C: The inter-relationship between formal and informal care: A study in France and Israel. Ageing & Society. 2009, 29: 71-91. 10.1017/S0144686X08007666.CrossRef
36.
Jylha M, Hervonen A: Functional status and need of help among people aged 90 or over: A mailed survey with a total home-dwelling population. Scand J Public Health. 1999, 27: 106-111.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Söderlund R: The role of information and communication technology in home services: Telecare does not satisfy the needs of the elderly. Health Informatics J. 2004, 10: 127-137. 10.1177/1460458204042237.CrossRef
38.
Blomgren J, Martikainen P, Martelin T, Koskinen S: Determinants of home-based formal help in community-dwelling older people in Finland. European Journal of Ageing. 2008, 5: 335-347. 10.1007/s10433-008-0094-4.CrossRef
39.
Hammar T, Rissanen P, Perala ML: Home-care clients' need for help, and use and costs of services. European Journal of Ageing. 2008, 5: 147-160. 10.1007/s10433-008-0078-4.CrossRef
40.
Hammar T, Perala ML, Rissanen P: Clients' and workers' perceptions on clients' functional ability and need for help: Home care in municipalities. Scand J Caring Sci. 2009, 23: 21-32. 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2007.00582.x.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Timonen V, Doyle M: Worlds apart? Public, private and non-profit sector providers of domiciliary care for older persons in Ireland. Journal of Aging Studies. 2007, 21: 255-265. 10.1016/j.jaging.2006.10.003.CrossRef
42.
Landi F, Lattanzio F, Gambassi G, Zuccala G, Sgadari A, Panfilo M, et al: A model for integrated home care of frail older patients: The Silver Network project. Aging Clin Exp Res. 1999, 11: 262-272.CrossRef
43.
Wielink G, Huijsman R: The relationship between attitudes towards care and care preferences of elderly community residents in the Netherlands. Can J Aging. 1999, 18: 493-512. 10.1017/S0714980800010060.CrossRef
44.
van Campen Ct, van Gameren E: Eligibility for long-term care in The Netherlands: development of a decision support system. Health and Social Care in the Community. 2005, 13 (4): 287-296. 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2005.00546.x.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Xanthopoulou D, Bakker AB, Dollard MF, Demerouti E, Schaufeli WB, Taris TW, et al: When do job demands particularly predict burnout?: The moderating role of job resources. Journal of Managerial Psychology. 2007, 22: 766-786. 10.1108/02683940710837714.CrossRef
46.
van Exel J, de Graaf G, Brouwer W: Give me a break! Informal caregiver attitudes towards respite care. Health Policy. 2008, 88: 73-87. 10.1016/j.healthpol.2008.03.001.CrossRefPubMed
47.
Algera M, Francke AL, Kerkstra A, Van der Zee J: An evaluation of the new home-care needs assessment policy in the Netherlands. Health Soc Care Community. 2003, 11: 232-241. 10.1046/j.1365-2524.2003.00424.x.CrossRefPubMed
48.
Ashkeim OP: Personal assistance for disabled people - the Norwegian experience. International Journal of Social Welfare. 1999, 8 (2): 111-119. 10.1111/1468-2397.00072.CrossRef
49.
Kjos BO, Botten G, Romoren TI: Quality improvement in a publicly provided long-term care system: the case of Norway. Int J Qual Health Care. 2008, 20: 433-438. 10.1093/intqhc/mzn031.CrossRefPubMed
50.
Santana S: The domiciliary support service in Portugal and the change of paradigm in care provision. International Journal of Integrated Care (Published online 15 January 2007). 2007, 7.
51.
Otero A, Garcia de Yebenes MJ, Rodriguez-Laso A, Zunzunegui MV: Unmet home care needs among community-dwelling elderly people in Spain. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2003, 15: 234-242.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Tornkvist L, Gardulf A, Strender LE: Patients' satisfaction with the care given by district nurses at home and at primary health care centres. Scand J Caring Sci. 2000, 14: 67-74. 10.1080/02839310050162280.CrossRefPubMed
53.
Jegermalm M: Direct and indirect support for carers: patterns of support for informal caregivers to elderly people in Sweden. J Gerontol Soc Work. 2002, 38: 67-84.CrossRef
54.
Larsson G, Larsson BW: Quality of care relationship between the perceptions of elderly home care users and their caregivers. Scandinavian Journal of Social Welfare. 1998, 7 (3): 252-257. 10.1111/j.1468-2397.1998.tb00289.x.CrossRef
55.
Malmberg B, Ernsth M, Larsson B, Zarit SH: Angels of the Night: Evening and Night Patrols for Homebound Elders in Sweden. Gerontologist. 2003, 43: 761-765. 10.1093/geront/43.5.761.CrossRefPubMed
56.
Larsson K, Silverstein M: The Effects of Marital and Parental Status on Informal Support and Service Utilization: A Study of Older Swedes Living Alone. Journal of Aging Studies. 2004, 18: 231-244. 10.1016/j.jaging.2004.01.001.CrossRef
57.
Meinow B, Kareholt I, Lagergren M: According to Need? Predicting the Amount of Municipal Home Help Allocated to Elderly Recipients in an Urban Area of Sweden. Health & Social Care in the Community. 2005, 13: 366-377. 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2005.00570.x.CrossRef
58.
Olaison A, Cedersund E: Assessment for home care: Negotiating solutions for individual needs. Journal of Aging Studies. 2006, 20: 367-380. 10.1016/j.jaging.2005.11.004.CrossRef
59.
Davey A, Johansson L, Malmberg B, Sundstrom G: Unequal but equitable: An analysis of variations in old-age care in Sweden. European Journal of Ageing. 2006, 3: 34-40. 10.1007/s10433-006-0020-6.CrossRef
60.
Sundstrom G, Malmberg B, Johansson L: Balancing Family and State Care: Neither, Either or Both? The Case of Sweden. Ageing & Society. 2006, 26: 767-782. 10.1017/S0144686X06005101.CrossRef
61.
Hedman NO, Johansson R, Rosenqvist U: Clustering and inertia: structural integration of home care in Swedish elderly care. International Journal of Integrated Care (published online). 2007, 7.
62.
Karlsson S, Edberg A, Westergren A, Hallberg IR: Functional ability and health complaints among older people with a combination of public and informal care vs. public care only. Scand J Caring Sci. 2008, 22: 136-148. 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2007.00549.x.CrossRefPubMed
63.
Hardy B, Young R, Wistow G: Dimensions of choice in the assessment and care management process: the views of older people, carers and care managers. Health Soc Care Community. 1999, 7: 483-491. 10.1046/j.1365-2524.1999.00217.x.CrossRefPubMed
64.
Stoddart H, Whitley E, Harvey I, Sharp D: What determines the use of home care services by elderly people?. Health Soc Care Community. 2002, 10: 348-360. 10.1046/j.1365-2524.2002.00380.x.CrossRefPubMed
65.
Weiner K, Stewart K, Hughes J, Challis D, Darton R: Care management arrangements for older people in England: Key areas of variation in a national study. Ageing and Society. 2002, 22: 419-439.CrossRef
66.
Fleming G, Taylor BJ: Battle on the home care front: Perceptions of home care workers of factors influencing staff retention in Northern Ireland. Health Soc Care Community. 2007, 15: 67-76.PubMed
67.
Taylor BJ, Donnelly M: Risks to home care workers: Professional perspectives. Health, Risk and Society. 2006, 8: 239-256. 10.1080/13698570600871695.CrossRef
68.
Venables D, Reilly S, Challis D, Hughes J, Abendstern M: Standards of care in home care services: A comparison of generic and specialist services for older people with dementia. Aging Ment Health. 2006, 10: 187-194. 10.1080/13607860500310518.CrossRefPubMed
69.
Sandhu S, Bebbington A, Netten A: The influence of individual characteristics in the reporting of home care services quality by service users. Research Policy and Planning. 2006, 24 (1): 1-12.
70.
Netten A, Jones K, Sandhu S: Provider and care workforce influences on quality of home-care services in England. J Aging Soc Policy. 2007, 19: 81-97. 10.1300/J031v19n03_06.CrossRefPubMed
71.
McFarlane L, McLean J: Education and Training for Direct Care Workers. Social Work Education. 2003, 22: 385-399. 10.1080/02615470309140.CrossRef
72.
Carpenter I, Gambassi G, Topinkova E, Schroll M, Finne-Soveri H, Henrard JC, et al: Community care in Europe. The Aged in Home Care project (AdHOC). Aging Clin Exp Res. 2004, 16: 259-269.CrossRefPubMed
73.
Bolin K, Lindgren B, Lundborg P: Informal and formal care among single-living elderly in Europe. Health Econ. 2008, 17: 393-409. 10.1002/hec.1275.CrossRefPubMed
74.
Sundstrom G, Johansson L, Hassing LB: The shifting balance of long-term care in Sweden. The Gerontologist. 2002, 42: 350-355. 10.1093/geront/42.3.350.CrossRefPubMed
75.
Larsson K, Thorslund M, Kareholt I: Are public care and services for older people targeted according to need? Applying the Behavioural Model on longitudinal data of a Swedish urban older population. European Journal of Ageing. 2006, 3: 22-33. 10.1007/s10433-006-0017-1.CrossRef
76.
Onder G, Liperoti R, Soldato M, Carpenter I, Steel K, Bernabei R, et al: Case management and risk of nursing home admission for older adults in home care: Results of the aged in home care study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007, 55: 439-444. 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01079.x.CrossRefPubMed
77.
Santos EB, Cirilli NC, Monachon J: Frequency and determinants of urgent requests of home care agencies for community-dwelling elderly. Home Health Care Serv Q. 2003, 22: 39-53. 10.1300/J027v22n01_03.CrossRef
78.
Dubois A, Santos-Eggimann B: Evaluation of patients' satisfaction with Hospital-at-Home Care. Evaluation and the Health Professions. 2001, 24: 84-98. 10.1177/01632780122034812.CrossRefPubMed
79.
Savla J, Davey A, Sundstrom G, Zarit SH, Malmberg B: Home help services in Sweden: Responsiveness to changing demographics and needs. European Journal of Ageing. 2008, 5: 47-55. 10.1007/s10433-008-0071-y.CrossRef
80.
Larsson K: Care needs and home-help services for older people in Sweden: Does improved functioning account for the reduction in public care?. Ageing and Society. 2006, 26: 413-429. 10.1017/S0144686X05004496.CrossRef
81.
Van Campen C, Woittiez IB: Client demands and the allocation of home care in the Netherlands. A multinomial logit model of client types, care needs and referrals. Health Policy. 2003, 64: 229-241. 10.1016/S0168-8510(02)00156-2.CrossRefPubMed
82.
Burau V, Theobald H, Blank R: Governing home care: a cross national comparison. 2007, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar PublishingCrossRef
83.
Van der Boom HCI: Home nursing in Europe: patterns of professionalisation and institutionalisation of home care and family care to elderly people in Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Germany. PhD thesis. 2008, Maastricht: Maastricht University
84.
Leichsenring K, Roth G, Wolf M, Sissouras A: Introduction: Moments of Truth. An Overview of Pathways to Integration and Better Quality in Long-Term Care. Integrating Health and Social Care Services for Older Persons: Evidence from Nine European Countries. Edited by: Billings J, Leichsenring K. 2005, Hampshire: Ashgate, Aldershot, 13-38.
Metadata
Title
Home care in Europe: a systematic literature review
Authors
Nadine Genet
Wienke GW Boerma
Dionne S Kringos
Ans Bouman
Anneke L Francke
Cecilia Fagerström
Maria Gabriella Melchiorre
Cosetta Greco
Walter Devillé
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-11-207

Other articles of this Issue 1/2011

BMC Health Services Research 1/2011 Go to the issue

Research article

The validity of using ICD-9 codes and pharmacy records to identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Research article

Practicing provider-initiated HIV testing in high prevalence settings: consent concerns and missed preventive opportunities

Research article

Questionnaire of chronic illness care in primary care-psychometric properties and test-retest reliability

Study protocol

Implementing knowledge into practice for improved neonatal survival; a cluster-randomised, community-based trial in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam

Research article

Variation in quality of preventive care for well adults in Indigenous community health centres in Australia

Research article

Does adding risk-trends to survival models improve in-hospital mortality predictions? A cohort study