¿Nueva fuente de negocio en la Ley de Dependencia? Análisis empírico e implicaciones del cuidado informal tras su cuasi implantación

This research analyzes the presence and implications of informal care in the Law of Dependency, and socio-demographic and health factors associated to dependent people may receive informal care. A cross-section study has been conducted from a representative sample of the dependent population in Cuenca (Spain) in February, 2009. We have obtained information for people with level II and III of dependence. The weight and profile of informal caregiver is identified by contingency tables. A binary logit regression model has been estimated to identify those factors related to the reception of informal care. The results show informal care holds an important role in the Law of Dependency, since 80% of dependents receive informal care. Age, marital status, to live in rural area and cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and respiratory diseases, and hygienic-dietetic treatment increase the probability of receiving informal care. The initial preference for service delivery versus economic delivery is invalidated in reality, resulting in a reduction of potential niche markets on the supply of services.