Community-based initiatives and care for the elderly: potential for welfare policies in Japan and The Netherlands

Ageing is becoming a serious global concern because of its effect on demographics and economic growth. At an individual level, ageing concerns how the elderly can live with dignity in their old age. This paper explores community-based care for the elderly, with a special focus on Japan and The Netherlands. First, the background in each country is described to paint the picture of how the government is shifting from institutional care to community-based care, largely as a means to combat challenges such as the rise in social welfare expenditures, the quality and quantity of care services. Second, the author uses three model cases in each country to explore the potential of community-based initiatives in providing comprehensive care for the elderly. Though both countries set up similar targets for their long-term care system, we find them taking different approaches in the process of promotion of community-based care. Third, using a theoretical framework of ethic of care and social quality, the author examines and analyses the social environment of community-based care for the elderly. In order for each concept of social quality to reflect more on the elderly issue, the author uses modified indicators. Finally, by comparing the analysis of Japan and The Netherlands, this paper aims to identify complementary factors for community-based care system and suggests relevant approaches for the development and improvement of community-based care system in each country. -- Relevance to Development Studies -- Developing countries have been slower to adopt ageing issue as a major social policy concern, despite the fact that ageing populations in many developing countries are growing rapidly especially in Asian countries. In many developing countries, care services are currently provided by family members and neighbourhoods. However, this traditional way would become inadequate in quality and quantity because of industrialization and it is anticipated that developing countries would face the same problem as what those industrialized countries are having now. Thus, it is important to consider how we can improve the existent traditional way as a stable community-based system. Community-based care system discussed in this paper would provide a good reference point for the strengthening of social security system in developing countries, which pays more attention to a philosophy of comprehensive care and concept of social quality.