The long-term care insurance system was put in place to cover – at least partially – the costs resulting from the need for long-term care and for assistance to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), such as personal hygiene, elimination, eating, dressing and mobility.
It is reasonable for the community at large to cover these costs, as anyone, regardless of age, may find themselves in need of such services. In addition, the costs are usually too high to be borne by the dependent person alone or even by their family. Long-term care insurance confers an unconditional entitlement to benefits, regardless of the dependent person's resources.
Like health insurance, long-term care insurance covers a risk that is recognised by the Social Security system, and operates according to the same principles: everyone pays a compulsory contribution, and if an insured person is recognised as dependent, they will be entitled to insurance benefits.
The long-term care insurance system was put in place to provide care and support to dependent persons who live at home or in a care and assistance facility. It caters to their needs by:
- providing benefits in kind;
- covering the cost of assistive technology and home adaptations.
In the case of dependent persons who live at home, the benefits in kind may be replaced by cash benefits, subject to certain conditions.