This paper discusses the relationship between demographic change, health status, self-care ability, and the needs of the elderly for medico-social care. The author introduces ASKORUSS, an instrument used to assess self-care ability and the need for assistance. ASKORUSS organizes the results of the assessment in a visually accessible and compelling way and can be used to determine the patient's needs for level of care, treatment, and rehabilitation. The instrument also can be used to evaluate the efficacy of an institution and its services, the outcomes of the care provided, as well as other purposes.