ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book covers care work research from around the world, including both low- and middle-income countries as well as high-income countries. It provides a comprehensive and authoritative state-of-the-art review of current research in social care work – paid care work – around the world, with a specific focus on social care work towards older people. The book also provides a broad and qualified – in terms of research-based – insight into central issues and challenges related to long-term care work around the world. It introduces the key term of 'care work' as a concept and social phenomenon, then also defining 'social care work'. The book gives a concise overview of the issues emerging from the different world areas and countries. It includes three of the Nordic countries: Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
