Abstract
The consequences of demographic change will not become fully apparent in nursing care insurance until the 2050s. Nevertheless, the contribution rate has risen by more than 50% over the last ten years. The increase is mainly due to political reasons. For example, the group of benefit recipients has been expanded. What can be done to slow down the rise in costs? A short-term solution that is also compatible with the pension insurance system would be to define non-insurance benefits and finance them consistently through taxes. A selection of long-term solutions includes better prevention, strengthening home care, addressing structural problems – such as inefficient administrative structures – and private supplementary insurance.