The aim of this chapter is to provide evidence-based recommendations for designing and implementing interventions that promote the well-being of institutional care workers in Europe. Nursing homes; residential facilities; and hospitals are central to Long-Term Care (LTC) systems; yet their sustainability depends on ensuring healthy and decent working conditions for staff who face demanding and emotionally intense environments. Drawing on the Care4Care project (Horizon Europe) and guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theory; the chapter integrates quantitative and qualitative evidence from six European countries. The analysis highlights common challenges—such as excessive workload; interpersonal conflict; and workplace incivility—associated with burnout; work–life conflict; and physical exhaustion. Protective factors including autonomy; emotional support; and opportunities for professional development were also identified; though their availability varied depending on institutional and national frameworks. Moreover; emotionally intense situations and blurred boundaries between professional and personal life emerged as recurring issues; with cultural and organisational contexts shaping the way these experiences were managed. In light of this evidence; the chapter offers multilevel recommendations: organisational measures to promote supportive leadership; participatory decision-making; and structured peer-support systems; professional development initiatives to strengthen autonomy; recognition; and career pathways; and policy actions to ensure adequate staffing ratios; protections against workplace incivility; and fairer working conditions across Europe. By integrating comparative evidence with actionable recommendations; the chapter provides guidance for employers; policymakers; and professional associations to foster healthier and more sustainable institutional care environments that safeguard both worker well-being and the quality of care delivered.
University of Seville, Spain - ORCID: 0009-0000-4272-3141
University of Seville, Spain - ORCID: 0000-0002-3657-1716
University of Seville, Spain - ORCID: 0000-0001-7047-3581
University of Seville, Spain - ORCID: 0009-0009-8183-9513
Maria Dolores Burguillos Duran
University of Seville, Spain - ORCID: 0009-0002-5275-0586
Chapter Title
Building Sustainable Institutional Care: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Healthier Work Environments
Authors
Celia Gago Valle, Francisco José Medina Díaz, Ineé Martínez-Corts, Veronika Kuradchik Pekarskaya, Maria Dolores Burguillos Duran
Language
English
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1029-4.07
Peer Reviewed
Publication Year
2026
Copyright Information
© 2026 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Book Title
CARE4CARE - We Care for Those Who Care - Vol. III
Book Subtitle
Building Dignified Care Work in Europe: Critical Reflections, Policy Proposals and Practical Tools
Editors
Maria Luisa Vallauri, William Chiaromonte
Peer Reviewed
Number of Pages
408
Publication Year
2026
Copyright Information
© 2026 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Publisher Name
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1029-4
ISBN Print
979-12-215-1028-7
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-1029-4
eISBN (epub)
979-12-215-1030-0
Series Title
Studi sul lavoro di cura - Studies on Care Work