Changes Under Pressure: Mapping Recent Developments in Long-Term Care Policy

Social, economic, and technological challenges have imposed transformations of the long-term care services in order to improve the system efficiency, the quality of services and the satisfaction of beneficiaries. The article aims to provide a review of the policy reforms and performance of the long-term care system in Romania. To support the effects of these transformations, a review of the scientific literature was conducted. We then highlighted characteristics of the current long-term care system that are evolving in response to the changing social and economic environment. Several issues related to the public financing, labor force, quality assurance, and unmet needs are discussed. The analysis suggests that evaluation of the long-term care system in terms of sustainability, health and quality of life of beneficiaries and their families impose a good coverage with long-term care quality services. Policy makers should ensure adequate collection of data to substantiate further policy measures, as well as full implementation of the long-term care policy.