Support services for relatives

Basis

At a meeting held on 5 December 2014, as part of its “Health2020” health priorities, the Federal Council approved the “Report on supporting people looking after and caring for relatives”. With this, it initiated various measures to support people providing care and support to their family members and to promote the reconciliation of caring for relatives with employment.

Project

Careum Research, together with the Centre for Labour and Social Policy Studies (BASS), has increased the distribution and forms of financial contributions and support services for people caring for and looking after relatives. For this purpose, the project team conducted a survey across Switzerland, of cantons, municipalities, not-for-profit organisations and providers of help, care and support at home. The report entitled “Betreuungszulagen und Entlastungsangebote für betreuende und pflegende Angehörige” (Care allowances and respite services for people caring for and looking after relatives) serves to fulfil a postulation of the National Council Committee for Social Security and Health. The report forms a key foundation of the Federal Council's action plan with the following four action areas:

• Action area 1: Information and data
• Action area 2: Respite services - quality and Access
• Action area 3: Reconciliation of work and looking after and caring for relatives
• Action area 4: Care-related leave or alternative support Options

Find out more about the Federal Council's report

Media report

The media have already picked up on the Federal Council's report. The Swiss radio and television company SRF presented an item on it in its “10vor10” transmission. Karin van Holten, a research assistant at Careum Research, spoke about it in the programme. One of the subjects discussed was care-related leave for people caring for relatives, with which several countries, including Germany and Austria, are already familiar.

Fernsehen SRF1, 10vor10: Bund will unentgeltliche Pflege unterstützen, 05.12.2014