ABSTRACT
Dependency refers not only to functional or clinical criteria, but also includes physical, mental, economic and sociocultural aspects relating to the elderly, ill or handicapped persons. The needs derived from this complete set have to be met by social protection systems. This chapter gives an overview of the other institutions of social protection, especially related with income protection and health care. This gives a macro-overview of the general level of social protection. In certain countries, additional benefits are provided to older people with a high degree of dependency. This extra income support is based on the need to offset the additional costs people incur because of their dependency. A detailed micro-analysis of social protection for the elderly gives a long list of initiatives, regulations and institutions, engaging in some way or another the public authorities in public money or imposing at least some legal obligations on society or individuals.
