Managing innovation in eldercare: A glimpse into what and how public organizations are planning to deliver healthcare services for their future elderly

Abstract

Eldercare policies are being dramatically reshaped due to demographic shifts worldwide. The elderly are living longer and healthier, and their infrastructural impacts on society are well-known among researchers. It is known that most countries will be experiencing unprecedented growths in their elder population, but what is less known is what and how public-entities are going to meet these upcoming challenges. The aim of this paper is to analyze eldercare innovations in light of the increasing numbers of elderly, with the support of eldercare theory. This empirical study will deepen the understanding of eldercare by showing the current strategic direction of leaders in this field. We found a lack of innovation strategy in formal innovation training, recruitment of workers, and knowledge-sharing channels between municipalities. It's clear that Norway's innovation strategy is to facilitate healthy aging for the elderly in their own homes as long as possible. Most developments have been smart, in-home technology. Accordingly, eldercare theory would urge Norwegian municipalities to strive for more balance in their eldercare system, inter alia, by developing innovation processes, improving recruitment, or reshaping social responsibility. We have enumerated, in the conclusion, how municipalities and other public-entities can learn from this study.