About the Research

During the next few years, the demographic developments in Salzburg will lead to a significant increase of demand for care, with considerable challenges for the existing care system. There is overall consensus that the needs of an ageing population go hand in hand with the availability of skilled workers in the field of care.

The Federal State of Salzburg is therefore initiating the development of a strategy dedicated to the upcoming challenges related to care, to be implemented by 2035. This objective is supported by an scientific evaluation carried out by the ifz. The evaluation research targets two questions: 1) Which innovative offers, services and best practice models from Austria and Europe are suitable for coping with the increasing demand for care despite limited personnel resources? 2) Which preventive measures can help to reduce the use of professional carers or make care more efficient?

The focus is on identifying innovative and future-oriented approaches that ensure high-quality care while reducing the burden on carers.

Methodologies

The study mainly draws a comprehensive literature review, which serves as the basis for the analysis of the two research questions. It provides an overview of key European approaches to dealing with the increasing demand for care. We put our focus on measures that can be implemented in Austria at the federal state level. Legal frameworks, quality standards in care and training, and various care level models are included insofar, as they are relevant to the efficient organisation of care.

The study focuses thereby on four key areas:

• Technological support: Use of digital and AI-based solutions and assistance systems to relieve the burden on care workers, including smart home technologies.
• Innovative care models: Approaches such as home treatment, caring communities, assisted living and communal living arrangements.
• Support for family carers: Measures to specifically strengthen and relieve family members in order to reduce the need for professional nursing staff.
• Preventive and rehabilitative approaches: Promotion of health-oriented lifestyles, expansion of preventive medicine and strengthening of geriatric rehabilitation.

Milestones/Output

• Interim report and feedback discussions
• Literature and document analysis
• Interviews with representatives of best practice examples and expert interviews.
• Research report including executive summary