[Everlasting solidarity? Longevity and generational relations]. / Wie langlebig ist die Solidarität? Generationsbeziehungen in den späten Lebensjahren.

ABSTRACT

Demographic development of industrial societies is determined by continuous low birth rates and increasing life expectancy. The dramatic change in generational structure will be an enormous challenge not only for the public social security systems; as an original place of inter-generational relations, family is particularly faced with increasing life expectancy and the chances and risks of longevity. Need for nursing care is such a risk of longevity, realizing that only about 3% aged between 60 and 80 are in need of care, but about 25% at the age of 80 or older. The majority of nursing cases is well-cared at home, mostly by relatives. Although one might care for relatives for many reasons--not only for love and altruism--empirical data insist on indicating strong family ties based on senses of solidarity and commitment. The focal point of the following article is a case review describing highly emotional family relationships in a home care situation. On the one hand, the description clarifies family solidarity representing the basis of German long-term care insurance since 1995; on the other hand it demonstrates the enormous burden caring for an old mother or father. Increasing life expectancy might even intensify burdens, so that fewer and fewer relatives might be able or willing to accept them. In this matter, new mixtures of private and public services will attain increasing importance. Considering German long-term care insurance a pioneer, it expresses a new sense of limited public responsibility assuming the existence of sufficiently strong family ties.