Spain to Invest €6.2 Billion to Shift Elder & Disability Care to the Home

The Spanish Congress is voting Tuesday on an ambitious reform of two laws concerning care for people with dependency and disabilities. The legislation will allow neighbors or friends to be officially recognized as caregivers and provide assistance outside the home, establishing universal access as a subjective right. The reform aims to move away from a system centered on large-scale residential care facilities to one focused on the rights of individuals and their desire to remain in their homes and communities.

The changes are expected to impact around two million people. If passed, the government will guarantee 50% of the funding for dependency care, a long-standing demand from regional authorities.

The reforms also eliminate incompatibilities for receiving aid, expand who can provide care, and establish teleassistance as a right. The government is allocating an additional €6.2 billion to finance the new laws.

José Manuel Ramírez, president of the Association of Directors and Managers of Social Services, believes the reform will strengthen the social services system, but cautions that increased funding and improved working conditions for caregivers are also crucial. There is concern that regional authorities may reduce their own funding contributions.