Annexes to COM(2022)441 - Access to affordable high-quality long-term care

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dossier COM(2022)441 - Access to affordable high-quality long-term care.
document COM(2022)441 EN
date December  8, 2022
ANNEX

LONG-TERM CARE QUALITY PRINCIPLES

Member States are invited to ensure a national quality framework for long-term care referred to in point 6, in accordance with the following principles. These principles apply to all long-term care providers irrespective of their legal status and in all care settings. They express shared values and a common understanding of long-term care quality.

Respect

Long-term care respects the dignity and other fundamental rights and freedoms of people in need of long-term care, their families and carers. This includes the equal right of all persons, in particular those with disabilities, to live independently in the community, with choices equal to others. Long-term care is provided without discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. People receiving care are protected from abuse, harassment, neglect and all forms of violence.

Prevention

Long-term care aims to restore as far as possible, or prevent deterioration in the physical and/or mental health of people in need of long-term care and to strengthen their capacity to live independently, while also alleviating their experience of loneliness or social isolation.

Person-centredness

Long-term care services are provided without any discrimination and address the specific and changing needs of each individual in need of long-term care. They fully respect the personal integrity of people in need of care, take into account their gender, and their physical, intellectual, cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic and social diversity, and, where appropriate, that of their families or their immediate social circle. The person in need of long-term care is at the centre of attention and is the basis for service planning, care management, worker development and quality monitoring.

Comprehensiveness and continuity

Long-term care is designed and delivered in an integrated manner with all other relevant services, including healthcare and telehealth, and with effective coordination between national, regional and local levels including by involving stakeholders in the community. Long-term care is organised so that people in need of long-term care can rely on an uninterrupted range of services when needed and for as long as necessary, while supporting their inclusion in society and the maintenance of ties with family and friends. Transitions between different long-term care services are smooth and aim to avoid disruption of service or any negative impact on the care received.

Focus on outcomes

Long-term care is focused primarily on benefits for those receiving care, in terms of their quality of life and ability to live independently, taking into account, where appropriate, the benefits for their families, informal carers and the community.

Transparency

Information and advice about available long-term care options and providers, quality standards and quality assurance arrangements is provided in full, in an accessible and understandable way, to people in need of long-term care, their families or carers, thus enabling them to choose the most suitable care option.

Workforce

Long-term care is provided by skilled and competent workers with a decent wage and fair working conditions. Appropriate worker ratios reflecting the number and needs of people receiving long-term care and the different care settings are established and respected. Workers’ rights, confidentiality, professional ethics and professional autonomy are respected. Carers are protected from abuse, harassment and all forms of violence.

Continuous learning is available to all long-term care workers.

Facilities

All long-term care provision complies with health and safety rules, accessibility, environmental and energy-saving requirements.