Long-term care

Abstract

Global demographic changes are being reflected in Europe, where the proportion of people aged 65 years and above is expected to increase from 16.5 per cent of the population in 2004 to 29.4 per cent by 2050 (Association Fran莽aise de Normalisation, 2008). Similarly, the population aged 80 years and above is expected to increase from 4.0 per cent in 2004 to 11.0 per cent by 2050 (ibid.). In Malta, the percentage of people aged 60 years and over is expected to increase 11.4 per cent by 2050 (National Statistics Office, 2011). As a result, it is not surprising that the services of long-term care (LTC) have increased substantially in recent decades. This is because LTC can be perceived as a by-product of societal ageing and chronic disease. [Excerpt]