ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the reasons why there is public involvement in long-term care. It presents the possible demographic pressure on the welfare states due to ageing. The chapter also describes what the variation is in long-term care systems in Europe. Saving money is difficult as it is complicated to estimate the number of years in care. The changes in the demographic composition of the population, the greying of societies over the next 30–40 years or so and the possible impact on public sector spending. Occupational-based welfare seems to be part of the answer to the future of the welfare state, at least in certain areas, where, for example, saving or insurance contributions over a lifetime can help to alleviate the risk of poverty in old age or the cost of treatment when it is needed. In the formal system, there is high public spending and low private spending, and it is financed out of general taxation.
