In February 2024, the publication of a study by Gesundheit Österreich GmbH caused a stir: its forecast assumes that almost 200,000 additional nursing and care workers will be needed by 2050 in order to maintain the current care and support situation. The panel discussion “(In) Compatible? Care at the heart of the labor market” addresses the tension between formal and informal care.

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One consequence of the shortage of nursing staff are regular reports about closed wards in inpatient settings, especially in nursing homes and hospitals. The available capacities are often used to capacity, which means that there are occasional waiting lists for mobile services. Families and friends then have to compensate for the inefficiencies of the system. The pressure on the home setting is increasing.

In Austria, this affects around a million people, with families and especially women taking on care and nursing tasks – mostly on a voluntary basis, unpaid and unseen. Their role as a carer is associated with high physical, emotional, financial and time-related stress.

In times of a shortage of skilled workers and the resulting labor market policy measures, such as increasing the retirement age of women and expanding the scope of their employment, there is an urgent need for action. But how can the tension between the shortage of nursing staff, the pressure on caring relatives and the general shortage of skilled workers be resolved?

After a short input from the nursing staff demand forecast, update until 2050, by Mag.a Brigitte Juraszovich (GÖG) we will discuss the influence of nursing on and in the labor market:

• Elisabeth Anselm, representative of the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Freie Wohlfahrt
• Mag.a Nina Haas, Consultant for social and health policy at the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich
• Dr. Eva Höltl, head of the health center at Erste Bank Österreich
• Mag.a Brigitte Juraszovich, deputy Head of Department for Health Professions and Long-Term Care at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
• Korinna Schumann, Vice President of the ÖGB and Federal Women’s Chairwoman Representative of the Austrian Economic Chamber

Moderation: Mari Lang

Register now to participate on site or online!

As your hosts, the ERSTE Foundation and “Alles Clara – the app that makes care easier” are looking forward to keen interest and participation. The aim of the ERSTE Foundation is to empower people who actively face the social challenges of our time. The audience is invited to actively participate in the discussion. The event is also accessible via live stream.

Photo: Philipp Horak