[Who exactly are these "persons with limitations in daily living skills"? : Survey of insured persons based on health insurance data].

BACKGROUND

In recent years German long-term care insurance coverage has gradually been extended to include services for people with limitations in daily living skills. Until now, however, it was unclear who exactly people with limited daily living skills are.

AIM: The study aimed to characterize people with limited daily living skills who use additional support services as defined by § 45b of the Social Services Code XI (SGB XI).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This study was based on a survey of 1284 people with limited daily living skills who used additional support services (§ 45b SGB XI). The data were analyzed descriptively.

RESULTS

The average recipient was 81 years old, mainly in care level I and the majority of them were exclusively cared for by relatives. Of these recipients 61 % were diagnosed with dementia, 73.4 % had medium cognitive impairments while more than half could no longer carry out the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).

CONCLUSION

Statistics on people with limited daily living skills should be included in publications and reports so that the need for care and assistance can be estimated more precisely.