Work

Transforming Long-Term Care: A Participatory Theory of Change Approach Toward Community-Centered Solutions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Long-term care is a priority for public policy in Spain, especially after COVID-19. The InCARE Project (Supporting INclusive development of community-based long-term CARE services through multi-stakeholder participatory approaches) promoted participatory policy and service development, using a Theory of Change (ToC) approach. The Theory of Change describes a causal pathway for making strategic changes in the long-term care system over the next decade, aiming to achieve the desired impacts. A two-day workshop was held with 32 stakeholders, including policymakers, professionals, family carers, and people who use care services. A national ToC and a specific pilot project ToC outlined the steps required to improve the long-term care system to fulfill the needs and preferences of people in situations of dependency. The Theory of Change approach can be highly valuable for policy design, and it provides an integrated action map to guide the changes and inform political and management actions in the coming years.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology

DOI: 10.1177/07334648251328113

Authors: Sara M. Ulla-Díez, Silvia Oliva Manzano, Adelina Comas-Herrera, Erica Breuer, Álvaro García-Soler, María Ramón Jiménez

Institutions: London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Newcastle Australia, Matia Fundazioa

Language: English

Topic: Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission