Long-Term Care for Older Adults in ASEAN Plus Three: The Roles of Family, Community, and the State in Addressing Unmet Eldercare Needs.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce this Special Issue that focuses on understanding the issues surrounding the long-term care (LTC) in selected societies in Southeast and East Asian countries.

METHOD

We first provide demographic and socioeconomic context for these countries and then summarize the seven articles in this issue.

RESULTS

The articles highlight the rapidly rising demand for LTC in this region in the next few decades given the declining fertility, lengthening life expectancy, and increasing migration. They also discuss challenges and strategies in meeting these demands. Most countries are ill prepared to cope with the demand for LTC with older adults heavily rely upon female family members for care. Elderly women in low-income households have the greatest unmet need.

DISCUSSION

Home-based and community-based services are set to become an integral part of the LTC system. It is important to incorporate older adults' cultural norms and wishes in their care plan and provision.