[Change in the income status of the disabled after introduction of long-term care insurance].

Up to the present time, long-term-care needs in the Federal Republic of Germany have only been covered to a limited extent through health insurance. The needs of the majority of those requiring long-term care must be covered from their pension funds or acquired wealth. This often does not suffice, which results in those needing long-term care becoming recipients of social assistance. The introduction of a long-term-care insurance should bring an end to this situation, which is considered unacceptable. At present, two competing schemes for covering the social risk of long-term care are being discussed: a social security insurance and a private insurance. When comparing the planned benefits under consideration, the social security insurance is more favorable in regards to nursing-home treatment, as well as with at-home care and benefits in kind. The private insurance is more favorable when considering nursing-home treatment and monetary benefits. If the private insurance is adopted, over 31% of those formerly relying on nursing-home care would no longer need social assistance. In the case of social security insurance, almost 46% would no longer require social assistance. Most of the remaining individuals requiring social assistance would be women.