LTCcovid Country Profile – Printable Version

1.01. Population size and ageing context

In 2019, the total population in Catalonia was estimated to be 7.619.494, of which 51% were women and 49% were men. Like most European regions, Catalonia has an ageing population, with 18,9% of the population aged 65 or older, and 6% of the population aged 80 or older. These figures follow an increasing tendency over the last decades and are expected to continue to do so (22,3% of the population is expected to be aged 65 or older in 2030 according to mid-range scenario projections). (Source: https://www.idescat.cat/pub/?id=aec&n=253&t=2010)

Update for: Catalonia (Spain)   Last updated: February 10th, 2022   Contributors: Gemma Drou-Roget  |  

1.08. Care home infrastructure

In Catalonia, according to data from 2016, people living in an assisted living facilities, compared to the entire population over the age of 64, have greater dependence and clinical complexity and are on average 10 years older than those who do not live there (85.7 years vs. 75.7 years). The average age of patients admitted to a nursing home increases every year, with women being admitted on average almost 3 years older than men. However, people in assisted living facilities have more associated pathology, with dementia being up to 10 times higher than for people over the age of 64 in the general population (CAMFIC & AIFICC, 2016).

Catalan Long-Term Care facilities can have public, private or subsidized places. The facilities that are part of the Catalan Social Services System (public and private ownership), that is, that have been authorized by the DTASF or the DS (in the case of drug addiction therapeutic communities) are intended for 4 large groups of people and various residential resources are identified for:

  1. Older people:
    1. Assisted residence for the older people on a temporary or permanent basis.
    2. Sheltered housing for the older people on a temporary or permanent basis.
    3. Temporary or permanent home for the older people
  2. People with disabilities:
    1. Residences and Homes Residences for people with intellectual disabilities.
    2. Residences and Homes Residences for people with physical disabilities.
  3. People with mental illness and / or addictions:
    1. Residences for people with mental illness.
    2. Homes Residences for people with mental illness.
    3. Therapeutic communities and reintegration flats for the care of people with drug addictions.
    4. Residences for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  4. Child under custody:
    1. Educational Residential Centers.
    2. Residential Center for Intensive Education Action.
    3. Reception Centers.
    4. First Aid and Emergency Services.

According to 2019 data published by the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Catalonia, there were a total of 62,015 places for the older people in facilities, 12,601 (20.3%) publicly owned and 49,414 privately owned (79.7 %). (CAMFIC &AIFICC, 2016).

References: 

CAMFIC & AIFICC (2016) Model d’atencio sanitaria a les residencies de Catalunya.

Update for: Catalonia (Spain)   Last updated: March 10th, 2022   Contributors: Cèlia Estruch  |  

1.06. Care coordination

The Catalan Government Plan for the XII legislature, approved on September 25, 2018, highlighted the need to deploy a unique strategy of integrated social and health care due to the health and social needs of the population, especially for those people who are older or have complex needs. It was agreed to redefine the Interdepartmental Plan for Social and Health Care and Interaction (PIAISS), which was replaced by the new Integrated Social and Health Care Plan (PAISS).
The aim was, in short, to create a model of integrated care for health and social services, drawing up a work plan that would help to generate a model of coordinated global intervention, with the same overall vision, which would place the person at the center.

Update for: Catalonia (Spain)   Last updated: March 3rd, 2022   Contributors: Cèlia Estruch  |  

3.07.03. Visiting and unpaid carer policies in care homes

In June 2021, care home residents are able to receive visitors and are able to themselves go on outings, always with appropriate protective measures. Before vaccination, visits were restricted. However, following vaccination there have been efforts to recover normal visitation schedules that have not been observed since before the pandemic. Both short and long outings are allowed (https://canalsalut.gencat.cat/web/.content/_A-Z/C/coronavirus-2019-ncov/material-divulgatiu/gestio-infeccio-coronavirus-ambit-residencial.pdf).

Update for: Catalonia (Spain)   Last updated: November 6th, 2021   Contributors: Gemma Drou-Roget  |