Long-term care for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic in decentralised Spain

Abstract

This chapter examines the challenges Spain’s long-term care (LTC) sector faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the implications of its decentralised governance structure. Spain’s care home sector was severely impacted, with significant mortality rates among older residents. Weak coordination between health and social services and a fragmented governance model across regional administrations delayed the implementation of crucial containment measures. Pre-existing issues, including underfunding, precarious employment conditions, and insufficient staffing, further hindered the sector’s ability to respond effectively. The chapter highlights how the pandemic exposed systemic vulnerabilities and inefficiencies within Spain’s LTC system, emphasising the urgent need for better integration, resource allocation, and crisis preparedness to safeguard the elderly population.