Caritas Advocates for Integrated Care System on International Nurses Day

On International Nurses Day, Caritas Austria emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive integrated care system to address the growing challenges in nursing and caregiving. The organization highlights that individuals requiring care deserve a seamless support system that guides them from initial assistance through to intensive care.

Current care structures too often focus on isolated sectors rather than a holistic approach. It is essential to recognize that throughout their lives, individuals require both medical and caregiving support, frequently at the same time or consecutively. Thus, existing healthcare frameworks must be better interconnected and tailored to meet the needs of those affected.

Caritas points out that the pressing focus on the health sector must not overshadow the significance of long-term care. The organization warns that neglecting this area could lead to a significant crisis in care availability. To fulfill the commitment that individuals in Austria will receive quality care in the years to come, investment in caregiving infrastructure is necessary, even amidst budgetary constraints.

A coordinated care system is not a luxury but a fundamental requirement to ensure that care remains humane, efficient, and affordable in the future. Caritas advocates for the development of a comprehensive system where medical treatment, home care, day centers, and short-term facilities work in harmony. When one form of care is insufficient, the transition to the appropriate level of care should occur smoothly without bureaucratic barriers, ensuring efficiency and clarity for all stakeholders involved.

Currently, legal regulations and cost-sharing requirements often prevent individuals from accessing care services where they are most needed. For instance, if someone cannot afford mobile care or 24-hour support at home, they may prematurely transition to a residential facility, which not only complicates their situation but also incurs higher public costs. An integrated system should allow individuals to receive care in the most suitable environment for as long as possible--whether at home, in semi-residential settings, or in full residential care.

To sustain a viable caregiving system, it is crucial to recruit and retain well-trained and motivated professionals in the field. Caritas advocates for the continuation and expansion of training initiatives in caregiving and nursing professions. Additionally, improving working conditions is essential to ensure that workers remain in the profession over the long term.

Moreover, it is important to expand and finance key services, especially mobile care, day centers, and short-term care facilities. There are notable shortcomings in day structures, as funding is often inadequate, and rigid regulations--such as charging full fees even for missed days--hinder access to these services. The medical care should also be brought closer to the community, coordinated through person-centered case management.

Caritas reiterates the necessity for a clear message to policymakers regarding these issues. While the current emphasis is on the health sector, failing to prioritize long-term care could lead to an impending crisis in care provision. To uphold the promise of quality care for all individuals in Austria in the coming decades, timely investments are essential, even against the backdrop of budgetary pressures. The national care and support strategy outlined in the government program could represent an initial step in this direction, provided that it is backed by concrete measures and genuine political will for implementation.