Long-term care needs can now be measured with a single global standard

The World Bank has created a new way to measure how much care people will need as they age. This means countries can now compare their long-term care needs and spending using the same yardstick.

For decades, comparing how different countries care for their elderly has been like comparing apples and oranges. Each nation used its own system. This new standard allows for direct comparisons of needs and spending. It means governments can see where their spending is most effective, and where it falls short, on a global scale. This could push countries to adopt more efficient care models.