European Union launched in 2022 itsEuropean Care Strategy, stressing the need for Member States to provideaffordable and adequate access to high-quality long-term care services forall those in need (European Union, 2022). The fact that such a high-levelpolicy announcement was deemed necessary implies that the reality acrossEurope is far from this goal, that in practice care services are often of lowquality, unaffordable and inadequate, and that many people in need do nothave access to them – and that informal care can no longer solve the situation.

Koh et al. (11) detailed a cycle of crisis care elaborating the nature of high medical costs, possibly resulting from fear and denial. First, an individual is in need of medical help, so he or she goes to a physician's office where the staff asks the individual to fill out a complex and confusing form. The physician examines the patient and explains the condition and treatment options using medical jargon. Numerous prescriptions, laboratory tests, and referrals are given without confirmation of the patient's comprehension. The staff sends the patient home with complicated instructions. Inevitably, the patient may consume medication incorrectly or miss follow-up appointments, and his or her condition worsens. Eventually, the patient presents to the emergency department, and the hospital staff develops a new treatment plan. Again, no one confirms the patient's understanding. When the patient is discharged, he or she is likely to get sick again and repeat the cycle (11)