The pressing issues related to social and healthcare policies for older adults in the Mediterranean Basin are examined in depth in a structured Delphi panel study that aims to identify the current state, the desired future state, and the gaps in social and healthcare systems across five Mediterranean countries. Greece, Spain, Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia are the focus, revealing substantial challenges these countries face and offering insights for policymakers to develop effective, equitable, and sustainable healthcare solutions for an aging population.
Common Themes and Key Points
A consistent theme across these countries is the lack of coordinated care systems, with a consensus on the necessity for better integration between social and healthcare services. This integration is crucial to provide seamless care for older adults and to minimize fragmentation in service delivery. Another significant issue is the professional training deficits involving caregivers. An urgent need exists for enhanced professional training in geriatric care, including both formal education and continuous professional development to equip caregivers to meet the complex needs of older individuals.
Empowering older people, both socially and economically, emerged as another key theme. This includes promoting autonomy, enhancing participation in decision-making processes, and reducing the stigma associated with aging. Comprehensive policies are also needed, especially in non-European countries, where there is a significant lack of basic infrastructures such as specialized geriatric services and robust social security systems. Additionally, while family-based care remains a critical support system in both European and non-European countries, formal care services are necessary to complement family care and alleviate the burden on families.
The gap analysis highlighted substantial disparities between the current state and the desired future state of social and healthcare services. European countries like Greece and Spain face issues related to policy fragmentation and regulatory weaknesses, whereas non-European countries struggle with more fundamental deficits in healthcare infrastructure and professional training.
Overarching Trends and Consensus Viewpoints
One clear consensus is that integrating social and healthcare services is essential for improving the quality of care for older adults. This involves creating single entry points, conducting holistic assessments, and implementing comprehensive care plans. Empowering stakeholders is also vital—engaging older adults, families, and communities in the care process is crucial for crafting effective and sustainable solutions. The need for professionalization of caregivers, especially with a focus on geriatric specialization, is universally acknowledged. Policymakers need to develop and enforce comprehensive laws and regulations that cater to the unique needs of older populations, addressing both preventive and curative aspects of healthcare.
Synthesized Information
The study reflects the diverse and complex nature of caring for older populations across different nations. While European countries like Greece and Spain have more advanced infrastructures, they deal with fragmented care systems that need better coordination. In contrast, non-European countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia face severe challenges such as lack of professional training, insufficient specialized care facilities, and inadequate government policies.
Main Findings
In European countries, Greece and Spain, despite having structured systems, require better regulatory frameworks and improved integration between social and healthcare services. Emergency preparedness and support for family-based care are also significant concerns. In non-European countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, the fundamental challenges include a lack of specialized geriatric services, poor health coverage, and financial insecurity for older adults. There is a critical need to create basic healthcare infrastructures and institute formal training programs for caregivers in these regions.
Objective Analysis and Cohesive Narrative
The article provides an objective analysis of the various dimensions of social and healthcare policies affecting older adults. It highlights both common issues and unique challenges faced by each country, offering a cohesive understanding of the current state, desired state, and gaps, along with actionable insights for addressing these issues.
Conclusions
A structured Delphi panel study delves deeply into the pressing social and healthcare policy issues for older adults in the Mediterranean Basin, aiming to pinpoint the current state, desired future state, and gaps in the social and healthcare systems of five Mediterranean countries. This research focuses on Greece, Spain, Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, highlighting significant challenges each country faces in supporting its aging population. The study provides crucial insights for policymakers to develop healthcare solutions that are not only effective but also equitable and sustainable. By identifying existing gaps and projecting future needs, this comprehensive examination offers a path toward innovative policy development tailored to an aging demographic. The findings emphasize the necessity of comprehensive strategies that consider cultural, economic, and social factors unique to each country, thereby fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing. The end goal is to achieve improved quality of life for older adults through adaptable, efficient healthcare systems that can endure the changing demands of an aging society.
