Hranice cezhraničnej domácej starostlivosti: Príklad Rakúsko

Currently, there is a growing need to provide care and ensure quality of life for people dependent on care of others. The merit of this study is the care for seniors in Austria, with an emphasis on 24-hour home care provided by foreign (Slovak) care workers. Our domestic research has so far focused mainly on Slovak care-providers in Austria. The aim of this study is to shift the focus to the Austrian recipients and their reflection of this issue. The model of 24-hour home care is examined in the context of broader and changing social and economic conditions and the way of life of families; and the key elements of the global care chain concept were applied in the examination. Empirical data were obtained through our own survey, the main method of which was semi-standardized interviews with 15 Austrian seniors and their families, as well as relevant statistical data and legislation. The results of the research show that the Austrian seniors and their families perceive advantages of this care in relatively low financial cost in combination with the high quality of care and also appreciate multiple positive effects on the quality of their lives. At the same time, however, the complexity and vulnerability of the current home care system, which is dependent on migrant workers, is perceived. Long-term sustainable and accessible 24-hour care is therefore not only a problem for families and the private sphere, but an important societal problem, requiring institutional solutions and posing new challenges for public policies and social security systems.