Family Carers’ Expectations and Strategies in Shaping Live-in Migrant Carer Arrangements: A Comparison Between Germany and the Netherlands

Abstract

This chapter analyzes different old-age care regimes with regard to the expectations family carers have vis-á-vis live-in migrant carer arrangements and the strategies they develop to shape them. It compares data from interviews with family carers in Germany and the Netherlands. While Germany’s old-age care regime places a high responsibility and financial burden on the family, the Netherlands provides a broad range of publicly funded health and social care services. The analysis reveals both differences and similarities between family carers in both countries. It shows that family carers in Germany rather favor family-like arrangements, whereas family carers in the Netherlands put greater emphasis on professional training and complying with labor laws.