Which country has the best eldercare policies in the world?

• A country with a high GDP is not necessarily the best country for the elderly.
• Finding balance between government policies and employee benefits can drive down the spiralling costs of eldercare across the UK

Where in the world is it best to grow old? Where would you like to reside and live out the rest of your days? What is top of your list when you imagine retirement living?

✅ Picturesque scenery

✅ Connected community

✅ Nearby amenities

✅ Comfortable living

The above is a totally subjective list of requirements and most people will differ slightly in where they would like to grow old. But, most importantly, the list above is plainly aesthetic. Yes, you could have a sea view with the waves quietly lapping the land in front of you, but if the country you live in has a poor healthcare system then it might not be the best place to grow old after all. There are so many variables and ways to measure the best place to age in the world, but below are just a few countries that are consistently ranked at the very top:

Norway

Consistency is key when it comes to eldercare policies and there's a very important reason that Norway is usually at the very top of the list. With one of the highest happiness ratings (6th) and healthcare index ratings in the world (12th), 100% pension coverage and financial security for the elderly, it's hard to ignore the eldercare positives Norway has to offer.

Sweden

Scandinavia again? But in all honesty, are we really surprised? Some of the best income and employment rates definitely help. Sweden subsidises its elderly care with municipal taxes and government grants which means their care homes can maintain the highest standards. Residents can, therefore, be much more comfortable and live happier, safer and more independently.

Switzerland

20-first's Global Longevity Management Scorecard actually ranks Switzerland as the best age-ready country in the world. And if we look at the evidence, it's clear to see why: they are one of the happiest nations in the world, they have an incredible healthcare system and their elderly are living longer than most other nations. Sounds pretty good to us.

France

Only one top GDP country appears in the list for Longevity Management - France. For anyone over 60, there are many advantages, not to mention the French healthcare system which ranks one of the finest in the world. A huge component is also the emphasis they put on elderly independence. Their home help services meet basic needs of hygiene, transport, cleaning and shopping for the elderly whilst allowing them continue everyday living.

Japan

With the highest proportion of elderly people in the world and 29% of their population over 65, Japan has a unique problem of ageing population and declining birth rate. But by introducing a long-term care system, designed to prioritise social and medical care, the benefits of home visits and nursing care have tripled. It has become far easier for them to identify the people who require support while enabling the elderly to continue living in their communities for as long as possible.

USA

How about the elderly efforts of our friends across the pond? I think it's fair to say it's a mixed bag. If you can pay for it, then generally you will receive better elderly care. Depending on location, budget, requirements, the kind of elderly care you will receive isn't consistent. However, with an incredible wealth of space and funding, many modern care facilities can be created to an attractive, bright and airy standard that many care seekers find alluring.

The UK

Whether it's for children or elderly dependents, funding care is a massive topic in the UK. Help for those with young children is now appearing, but there's always more that could be done to subsidise the massive costs of eldercare. Nonetheless, overall, the UK provides a good standard of care with a heavy emphasis put on the safety of residents. New, modern homes are being created to give more independence, homely furnishings and luxuries than ever before.

What can we change?

Generally, what we can see from the countries and comparisons above is that policies are paramount. It doesn't matter how high your GDP is or how beautiful your care homes can be, what matters is the policies implemented by the government to make that care more accessible.

Whilst I can't speak for the latest and greatest innovations in countries all over the world when it comes to eldercare, I can explore what we have in the UK. In the near future, a policy called the Carer's Leave Bill will introduce a new entitlement of one week's unpaid leave per year for employees who are providing or arranging care. And no, ‘unpaid leave' wasn't a typo. Of course, I'm not bemoaning more leave for all the unpaid carers juggling care and work, however, the amount of people that have fought for a single week of unpaid leave shows you the distance we still have to go.

Government policies don't surface overnight. Laden with bureaucracy and various hoops to jump through, it takes years to enact real differential policy and years after that to see any sort of effect. Believe me, I would love to see a Scandinavian type of subsidised care enabled or even a long-term, community-based programme like in Japan, but I might be waiting a while. So where does the change come from?

It may sound odd, but the quickest place for change comes from individual organisations and workplaces. By giving employees more entitlements and benefits we can curb the spiralling costs of care and make it more accessible as a result. Many organisations are starting to see the rise of elderly dependencies on their employees and the negative effects it has: low productivity, absenteeism, stress and anxiety, to name just a few. By enabling eldercare benefits, businesses are able to add vital support onto The Carer's Leave Bill. Again, this isn't an immediate fix and there needs to be a balance of policy and employee benefits, but providing that support at home and at work is vital for the future.

Seniorcare by Lottie is leading the charge on eldercare workplace benefits. With our support, employees are able to get more help understanding, finding and funding elderly care than ever before. With access to 1:1 support from our care experts, a choice of vetted care providers, a carer community, a wealth of digital resources, as well as many other benefits, we hope we can empower a better eldercare system. Of course, there's a long way to go to get to the dizzying heights of Norway, Sweden or Switzerland, but every benefit is instrumental in an ageing population. If more employers and managers prize and recognise the importance of caring for our elderly loved ones, then the rest of the world might follow.