Countries That Pay for Custodial Long‑Term Care

This document summarizes countries that publicly finance custodial long‑term care, including home‑based assistance, institutional care, and personal support for activities of daily living.

Universal and Free Long‑Term Care Systems

These countries provide custodial care as a universal public entitlement, funded primarily through taxation. Coverage includes home care, personal assistance, and institutional custodial care.

Country	Coverage Type	Funding Model
Australia	Universal long‑term care	Taxation
Austria	Universal long‑term care	Taxation
Belgium	Universal long‑term care	Taxation and social insurance
Armenia	Universal custodial care	Taxation
Azerbaijan	Universal custodial care	Taxation
Bahamas	Universal custodial care	Taxation
Belize	Universal custodial care	Taxation
Brunei Darussalam	Universal custodial care	Taxation

Universal Social‑Insurance Long‑Term Care Systems

These countries operate mandatory long‑term care insurance programs that pay for custodial care at home and in institutions. Benefits are standardized and financed through payroll contributions and public funds.

Country	Coverage Type	Funding Model
Japan	Universal LTC insurance	Social insurance and taxation
Netherlands	Universal LTC insurance	Social insurance
Uruguay	Public LTC program	Mixed funding

Scandinavian Universal Care Systems

Scandinavian countries provide extensive custodial care through tax‑funded municipal services. Coverage includes daily home visits, personal care, meal support, and institutional custodial care.

Country	Coverage Type	Funding Model
Denmark	Universal custodial care	Taxation
Sweden	Universal custodial care	Taxation
Norway	Universal custodial care	Taxation

Means‑Tested Public Custodial Care Systems

These countries provide custodial care only to low‑income seniors, similar to Medicaid in the United States. Eligibility is based on financial need and functional impairment.

Country	Coverage Type	Funding Model
Argentina	Means‑tested custodial care	Taxation
Brazil	Means‑tested custodial care	Taxation
Bahrain	Means‑tested custodial care	Taxation
Bosnia & Herzegovina	Means‑tested custodial care	Taxation
Barbados	Means‑tested custodial care	Taxation
Bulgaria	Means‑tested custodial care	Taxation

Countries Without Public Custodial Care Systems

Many low‑income countries do not have formal long‑term care systems. Custodial care is provided informally by families without government financing.

Country	Coverage Type	Funding Model
Afghanistan	No LTC system	N/A
Bangladesh	No LTC system	N/A
Benin	No LTC system	N/A
Botswana	No LTC system	N/A
Bolivia	No LTC system	N/A
Cambodia	No LTC system	N/A
Cameroon	No LTC system	N/A

Summary

Custodial long‑term care is publicly financed in many countries through universal tax‑funded systems, mandatory long‑term care insurance, or means‑tested programs. The most comprehensive custodial care systems are found in Japan, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries.