ABSTRACT
Age is normally considered to be the best index of dependency, though it is usually combined with the physical dimension: the older the person, the more he/she becomes physically dependent. The low income category is supposed to receive the minimum income legally guaranteed in each country to single elderly persons or to two older persons, depending upon the case study considered. In Austria the assessment of dependency does not rely on activity of daily living (ADL) criteria but only on the number of hours a dependent person needs care. According to the number of hours needing help and care, a certain level at the attendance allowance scheme is accorded to the dependent person. Dependency in nursing homes is assessed on the basis of an ADL scale, mental capacity, and social factors. A low income pensioner is defined as a person receiving a compensatory supplement on top of an old-age or invalidity pension which is below the set standard rate.
