Financial compensation initiatives for caregivers: Changes over time and the drivers of change in four countries

This thesis is an international policy analysis which examines the change over time to national level financial compensation initiatives for caregivers of dependent seniors in Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Canada. As well, the identifiable drivers of change in each location are explored. The main findings are that there has been an increase in national level financial compensation initiatives for caregivers in all four countries. Demographic and fiscal pressures appear to be the most dominant policy drivers, although development of financial compensation is also shaped by social values, political institutions, and ideology. Germany, Sweden, and the UK have instituted similar social security benefits for caregivers such as pension contributions, as well as increased access to non-financial compensation such as respite, counseling, and caregiver training. This indicates that although institutions and values shape policies, some policies may be transferable to many sociopolitical settings.