Do Individuals in Old Age Prepare for the Risk of Long-Term Care? Results of A Population-Based Survey in Germany

André Hajek, Thomas Lehnert, Annemarie Wegener, Steffi G. Riedel-Heller and Hans-Helmut König
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André Hajek: Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
Thomas Lehnert: Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
Annemarie Wegener: Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Hans-Helmut König: Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to identify specific actions and financial precautions undertaken by individuals in preparation for their long-term care needs, as well as to determine the correlates of these actions. A population-based survey of the German population aged 65 years and above (n = 1006) was used. Individuals were asked whether they have undertaken financial preparations for their long-term care needs (no; yes). With respect to specific actions, individuals were asked whether they (no; yes): (i) Had obtained information (e.g., from doctor, internet, care support center, care facility), (ii) had modified their home (e.g., installed a stair lift), and (iii) had moved (e.g., old-age housing, care in relatives’ homes). In total, 30.4% had undertaken financial preparations for their long-term care needs. With respect to the specific actions undertaken, 6.5% had obtained information, 4.8% modified their home, and 7.3% had moved. The outcome measure, ‘had modified home’, was positively associated with lower age, West Germany, and lower self-rated health. The outcome measure, ‘had moved’, was positively associated with being female, and higher education. The outcome measure, ‘financial preparations for long-term care needs‘, was positively associated with lower age, West Germany, higher education, being born in Germany, and private health insurance. It is alarming that only around one in three individuals aged 65 and older had undertaken financial preparations for long-term care needs, and that far fewer individuals had undertaken other actions to prepare for their long-term care needs. The provision of timely information regarding the risk of long-term care, as well as its associated costs, may assist in sustaining the satisfaction of long-term care recipients. It may also help to reduce the risk of long-term care for individuals in old age.

Keywords: need for care; preferences; long-term care; old age; supplemental long-term care insurance; Germany (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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