Table 1.
Care and support systems for informal caregivers to persons with dementia in eight European countries
| National regulations | National guidelines | Insurances | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | Welfare services for the elderly | No national guidelines | Estonian Health Insurance Fund |
| Finland | The social and health care system | Under development | National Health Insurance |
| France | Long-term care | The Alzheimer’s disease plan “Plan AD 2008–2012” | National Health Insurance |
| Germany | Health care and long-term care | Three guidelines from different medical scientific societies | Long-Term Care Insurance |
| The Netherlands | Within the Health Insurance Act and the Social Support Act | “National Dementia Program” | Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (AWBZ): informal caregivers can apply for needs assessment |
| Spain | Universal Health Coverage | No national guidelines | Cohesion Fund |
| Law 39/2006: promotion of personal autonomy and care of people with dependency | |||
| Sweden | Within the Social Services Act and the Health and Medical Service Act | National guidelines for care and service for dementia | National Health Insurance |
| England | Within the Community Care Act and the National Health Service Act | The National Dementia Strategy for England | The National Health Service (NHS) |