Our client was the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE)

This exploratory study aimed at discussing the advantages and shortcomings of available support measures for informal caregivers looking after dependent older people. It focussed on measures established in the current macro-institutional context, in Belgium and in four other European countries (i.e. France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg).

This study included a desk research of existing policy measures and respective evaluation reports, as well as other academic and grey literature relevant to the topic. In addition, an empirical qualitative research, using a case-study design, was conducted in all five countries. Health and social care professionals assisted in the identification of 37 informal caregivers looking after dependent older people for participation in the study.

An analytical report comparing existing policies and respective uptake was compiled. Policy recommendations for the Belgian context were produced based on the information collected, and on the experiences of the informal caregivers who participated in this study

The consortium responsible for this study was composed of Yellow Window, the University of Antwerp and the Catholic University of Louvain la Neuve.

This study was published in 2014.

https://kce.fgov.be/en/support-for-informal-caregivers-%E2%80%93-an-exploratory-analysis