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Care Care services and support options

People in need of care can obtain various forms of financial assistance and support during everyday life. Long-term care insurance contributes to the costs that arise from everyday care and support. Care workers and voluntary carers provide assistance and offer support in basic areas of life. Find out more about the services and assistance available.

Care services and support options

Woman using a calculator Woman using a calculator

Nursing care allowance for self-organized care at home

Nursing care allowance is a long-term care insurance benefit. The monthly payment helps care recipients to organize care at home independently.

A care professional advises a patient. A care professional advises a patient.

Advice and training for carers

Looking after and supporting a person in need of care is a challenging task. The advice and further training opportunities offered by long-term care insurance help support carers in their role.

Applying for care benefits: ballpoint pen on a sheet of paper, clearly an application form. Applying for care benefits: ballpoint pen on a sheet of paper, clearly an application form.

Applying for care benefits

If someone is in need of care, they are entitled to claim long-term care insurance benefits. Find out here which steps are important and where to get the advice you need.

An elderly person sitting at a table and signing a document. An elderly person sitting at a table and signing a document.

Objections and appeals against decisions by long-term care insurance funds

People are entitled to take legal action against decisions by long-term care insurance funds that reject or insufficiently accept applications. There are two key steps in this process: objection and appeal to the Social Court.

Older gentleman using his walking stick to try to get up out of his armchair. A young woman is helping him to stand up and supporting him by holding his arm. Older gentleman using his walking stick to try to get up out of his armchair. A young woman is helping him to stand up and supporting him by holding his arm.

Benefits for care at home

Care recipients who live at home can claim long-term care insurance benefits. Read more about these benefits here.

A carer helps an older person to move A carer helps an older person to move

When the costs of care are too much – help with care

People in need of care can apply for help with covering care costs if their income or pension isn’t enough. Information is provided here about applications, benefits and income assessment.

A young man with a disability looking at a laptop together with another young man. A young man with a disability looking at a laptop together with another young man.

Participation benefits – support for people with a disability

Participation benefits are intended to help people with disabilities to participate in society in a self-determined manner and on equal terms with others.

Someone passing a mug to an older person. Someone passing a mug to an older person.

Respite care allowance – giving family carers a short break

Respite care allowance covers the cost of care for short periods when family carers are temporarily unavailable. The person in need of care can remain in their familiar environment during this time.

A carer accompanies an elderly woman with a walker. A carer accompanies an elderly woman with a walker.

Short-term care: temporary residence in a care facility

Short-term care is useful when care at home is temporarily not possible. People in need of care can move into a care facility during this period. Long-term care insurance contributes to the costs.

A man pushes an elderly lady in a wheelchair. A man pushes an elderly lady in a wheelchair.

Nursing home costs when absent – when is a reduction possible?

Residents are sometimes away from a nursing home for a prolonged period. Read this article to discover from when and to what extent nursing home costs can be reduced in the event of an absence.

A nurse supports an elderly woman who is using a walking stick. Both are smiling. A nurse supports an elderly woman who is using a walking stick. Both are smiling.

Determining the quality of care services

Quality is an important criterion when selecting a care service. But how can you determine this? Read on to find out more about quality criteria and inspection procedures.

Older people seated at a table are being given medication by a nurse. Older people seated at a table are being given medication by a nurse.

Full-time residential care

Full-time residential care is an option if people who are in need of care cannot be cared for at home. This article discusses points to consider in terms of costs and the choice of a care facility.

A man is holding a medicine ball A man is holding a medicine ball

Partial residential care: day and night care

Day and night care facilities support care at home. Read on to find out what costs you will incur and how partial residential care can be financed.

A health visitor assists a senior citizen during a home visit. A health visitor assists a senior citizen during a home visit.

Non-cash care benefits: care service support

Non-cash care benefits are a form of financial support from long-term care insurance providers for care at home. They can be used to finance assistance from a care or support service.

A woman caring for a young girl in an electronic wheelchair. A woman caring for a young girl in an electronic wheelchair.

Support and advice for children and adolescents in need of care

There are many challenges facing families with children or adolescents in need of care. Social security benefits and support services enable treatment, care and social participation.

A carer helps a woman who needs additional oxygen at home. A carer helps a woman who needs additional oxygen at home.

Out-of-hospital intensive care – care for those with a critical illness

Critically ill people sometimes require special intensive care. This article provides information about how out-of-hospital intensive care is prescribed and the associated benefits and costs.

Five senior citizens sit around a table for breakfast in a care group home. Five senior citizens sit around a table for breakfast in a care group home.

Care group homes: group living with home support

Care group homes are a way of living a self-determined life for as long as possible in old age. Anyone setting up or converting to a care group home arrangement can claim support.

Two women looking at a form together Two women looking at a form together

Additional relief allowance – a flexible benefit for care at home

The additional relief allowance is a versatile, flexible benefit that can be used in various ways for care at home. An annual total of 1,572 euros is available.

A carer is showing an older man something on a smartphone. A carer is showing an older man something on a smartphone.

Digital care applications (DiPA)

Digital care applications (DiPA) are a benefit offered by long-term care insurance subject to certain conditions. They support people who are in need of care and their loved ones.

A woman wearing disposable gloves applying hand gel. A woman wearing disposable gloves applying hand gel.

Applying for care aids

Care recipients with a care grade are entitled to care aids, such as a care bed or bed pads. They need to apply to their long-term care insurance fund to have the costs covered.

A person pressing a button worn on a neckband. A person pressing a button worn on a neckband.

Home emergency call systems – get help quickly at the touch of a button

A home emergency call system allows people to get help quickly at the touch of a button in the event of an emergency. It is ideal for older and health-impaired people who are at risk of falls.

Older woman sitting on the edge of a bed. A young woman is standing next to her. She is combing the hair of the older woman, who is clearly a care recipient. Older woman sitting on the edge of a bed. A young woman is standing next to her. She is combing the hair of the older woman, who is clearly a care recipient.

Care benefits of statutory health insurance

Anyone who needs temporary care support or help at home can access it through their statutory health insurance fund. Find out more here about the benefits available and how to apply for them.

An older woman and a carer checking tablets. An older woman and a carer checking tablets.

Deficiencies in long-term care – who can I turn to for help?

There are various points of contact for people experiencing deficiencies in long-term care provision. A legal dispute is best avoided if possible.

Older men playing chess in a communal area. Older men playing chess in a communal area.

Who can avail of supported living?

Supported living (also known as assisted living) enables people who are in need of support to live in private accommodation and to lead a self-determined life as independently as possible.

A woman in a wheelchair feeds a dog. A woman in a wheelchair feeds a dog.

Residential options for people with a need for care or support

Even people with a need for care or support can reside in a self-determined manner and as independently as possible. Various residential models, services and aids provide the necessary support.

A woman laying her hand on the forehead of a man lying in bed. A woman laying her hand on the forehead of a man lying in bed.

Palliative care for the critically or terminally ill

People who are critically or terminally ill are entitled to live and die in dignity. Special palliative care services are available for this purpose. Discover health insurance benefits in this area.