Social protection for dependency in old age: a study of the fifteen EU Member States and Norway

Book abstract:

The ageing population in the EU means that there are and will continue to be an increasing number of dependent elderly people with long-term care needs and these needs will have to be catered for. This report is based on a comparative study on the social protection of the dependent elderly, commissioned by the Directorate-General Employment and Social Affairs of thte European Commission and the Belgian Minister of Social Affairs. The report updates a previous report on six Member States and enlarges it to include the other Member States. Also, one country of the EEA, Norway, has been included in the comparison. The aim of the project was to provide an overview of the social protection arrangements which are available in the EU Member States and Norway for dependent elderly people above retirement age and in need of long-term care. A description of current arrangements and an assessment of policy trends and perspectives is given.

Although, there is a considerable amount of evidence on the level and structure of pension provision for older people and on health care expenditure, this research attempts to draw a more comprehensive overall picture of social protection relevant to the needs of dependent older persons. These range from income, health, social care to support for informal care and integration and empowerment. Particular attention is also given to the topic of long-term care insurance.

The volume is split into 6 main parts: Definition of dependency and the need for social protection; Some macro-observations regarding social protection of dependent older persons; The variety, scope and coverage of health and social services for the elderly: the welfare pluralism; Differences in treatment of similar categories of need; Debate on long-term care insurance; Some theoretical and policy conclusions.

This important study aims not only to provide an overview of this issue but also to give some insight into present and future policies.