20.500.12556/ReVIS-14090 Long-term care planning and sustainability of the care system in the region Background/Objectives: This study examines the relationship between user preferences, spatial accessibility, and the financial sustainability of long-term care (LTC) systems, with a focus on Slovenia and the Posavje region. The analysis compares different care models, including long-term home care (LTHC), institutional care, and community-based housing solutions such as sheltered housing and “silver villages”. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining qualitative interviews, survey data, spatial analysis, mobility-related operational assessment, and cost estimation. The survey included 1005 in dividuals, of whom 475 provided valid responses. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square tests and the Agresti–Caffo method to examine differences in care preferences and selected proportions across respondent groups. Results: Statistically significant differ ences in LTC preferences across age groups were identified. Most respondents preferred care options located close to their homes, with the majority unwilling to relocate more than 10 km and a substantial share preferring distances below 5 km. The findings further indicate that travel-related costs for care providers in rural areas are considerable and, in the Municipality of Krško, comparable to the estimated monthly housing costs in special ized community-based units. Cost comparisons suggest that reductions in travel-related operational costs could offset a substantial share of the estimated housing-related costs. Conclusions: The results indicate that sustainable LTC systems require not only adequate service capacity and funding but also spatially coordinated care models aligned with user preferences and long-term sustainability. The findings contribute to strategic LTC planning and support the development of integrated, community-based care systems in geographically dispersed regions. long-termcare long-termhomecare community-basedcare ageingpopulation spatial accessibility travel costs rural areas care preferences integrated care Slovenia dolgotrajna oskrba dolgotrajna oskrba na domu oskrba v lokalni skupnosti staranje prebivalstva prostorska dostopnost potni stroški podeželje preference glede oskrbe celostna oskrba Slovenija true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Neznano 2026-06-23 09:33:26 2026-06-23 09:33:27 2026-06-24 03:09:07 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Opis vira z dne 17. 6. 2026; 18 str. issue 12, [article no.] 1633 Vol. 14 Jun. 2026 0000-00-00 NiDoloceno NiDoloceno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2026-06-01 364.4 2227-9032 281864963 10.3390/healthcare14121633 https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/14/12/1633 1 d385c342-6ed5-11f1-98c5-001a4af901a5 https://revis.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=17078 healthcare-14-01633-v2.pdf healthcare-14-01633-v2.pdf 1 3C0924136ABD3C133ADE962DF46BD6E1 970c24eb9b642cc6c2bce10119a483c96f70d166c9c5a6835eb203dd7d44501f fa9793e0-6ed5-11f1-98c5-001a4af901a5 https://revis.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=17079 Univerza Alma Mater Europaea 0 0 0