Table 1 Overview of DCE attributes and levels
Attribute | Attribute description | Levels |
|---|---|---|
Expected period of caregiving (duration of care) | The period of time the caregiver would care for and/or look after the person in need of care. | 6 months 2 years 5 years |
Care time (hours per day) | The amount of time (hours per day) the caregiver would provide care and/or supervise the person in need of care at home (e.g. personal care, household tasks, doctor visits etc.) | 2 h per day 5 h per day 8 h per day |
Formal care services (frequency per week) | The frequency of professional support that is additionally available to the caregiver (e.g. outpatient care services can assist with personal care or counsellors can help with any open questions). A visit lasts about 30 min. | None 3 to 4 times a week Daily |
Respite (weeks per year) | The number of weeks a year that are available to the caregiver for a variety of respite options. During this time period, professionals care for the individual in need (e.g. during vacation). | None 3 weeks per year 6 weeks per year |
Monetary compensation (€ per hour) | A wage replacement benefit (net) at the personal disposal of the caregiver. Paid as a financial compensation per hour for the care provided (in addition to the existing cash benefits by the LTC insurance in Germany). | €0 per hour €6 per hour €12 per hour |