Articles

Accessing Long-Term Care in Switzerland: Assessment, Eligibility and Routes Into Support

Access to long-term care in Switzerland is not determined by a single national eligibility test. Older people move into support through medical assessment, Spitex needs assessment, nursing-home evaluation, cantonal and...

Financing Long-Term Care in Switzerland: Health Insurance, Public Funding and Household Contributions

Swiss long-term care is financed through a deliberately mixed model in which compulsory health insurance covers only part of recognised nursing care, cantons and municipalities meet residual responsibilities, and individuals...

Who Is Responsible for Older People’s Care in Switzerland? Federalism, Cantons and Local Delivery

Responsibility for older people’s care in Switzerland is deliberately distributed across the Confederation, 26 cantons, municipalities, insurers, professional services and families. This article examines how Swiss federalism shapes planning, access,...

How Long-Term Care Works in Switzerland: Cantons, Municipalities, Insurers, Providers and Families

Switzerland’s long-term care system is shaped by shared responsibility rather than a single national service. This article explains how the Confederation, cantons, municipalities, compulsory health insurers, Spitex organisations, nursing homes,...

Ageing in Switzerland: Preparing for Rapid Growth in the Older Population

Switzerland is entering a prolonged period of demographic ageing that will reshape demand for home care, nursing homes, family support, workforce capacity and public financing. This article examines how ageing...