As a result of increased life expectancy, policies regarding old people in need of care (also referred to as long term care policies) represent a major public health issue in Europe and in all developed countries (OECD 2011). The growing proportion of people aged 80 + years raises the question of their demand for daily health and social care, in a context where care traditionally provided within the families is increasingly questioned. Public authorities have to cope with different challenges: a political one, because governments have to meet the growing needs of families and come up with appropriate answers; an economic one as the solutions proposed have to fit a context of strong budgetary restriction; and a social one, since what is at stake is to fight against inequalities in access to services.