Seizing the Long-Term Care Relief: A Breathing Space for Caregivers - Changes from July 1st
Employee leave for caregiving: changes as of July 1
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When it comes to caring for the 5.7 million individuals in need of long-term care in Germany, family members often carry the load. The physical and mental toll is significant, and sometimes, caregivers need a break. This is where short-term and respite care come into play, with changes coming on July 1st.
domestic care in Germany
Data from the Federal Statistical Office shows that most care recipients are looked after at home by their family members. Tasks such as washing, dressing, running errands, administering medication, and coordinating doctor and therapy appointments can take a toll on caregivers.
Short-term and Respite Care: A Break for Caregivers
July 1st marks a shift for short-term and respite care. Both services, provided by long-term care insurance, provide temporary financial support for replacement caregiving so that care recipients can take a break.
What are Short-term and Respite Care?
Both services are available only when a care level of 2 is reached.
- Short-term care involves moving the care recipient into a nursing home temporarily, with up to €1,854 available per calendar year for up to eight weeks.
- Respite care keeps the care recipient in their own home, with another person taking on the careRole. This could be a home care service, a neighbor, or a relative. Previously, respite care was up to €1,685 per calendar year for up to six weeks. Respite care can also be claimed on an hourly basis, such as for a cinema or hairdresser visit, according to the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center.
Changes on July 1st
From July 1st, these funds will be combined, allowing care recipients to receive up to €3,539 per calendar year for both services, making it easier to use the services.
Impact on Respite Care
The maximum duration per calendar year is increased from six to eight weeks, adapting it to short-term care. The pre-care period is no longer applicable, and close relatives who provide respite care while not working professionally will see the amount increase to up to double the care allowance from July 1st.
Using Services this Year
If part of the claim for respite and short-term care has already been used before July 1st, it will be deducted from the total budget of €3,539. The remaining amount can still be used this year.
Applying for Short-term or Respite Care
Short-term and respite care must still be applied for by the care recipient. Relatives can assist with the application process, and if there is a power of attorney, they can submit the application. This can also be done online with the respective health insurance company.
Recharging as a Caregiver
The Consumer Advice Centre NRW advises applying for services as early as when planning time off, ensuring early clarity about financing. However, unexpected situations may arise - in such cases, costs can be claimed retroactively, with all receipts necessary for this.
Finding Temporary Care Services
Even with money from the health insurance company for temporary care support, it can be challenging to find it. To increase the chances, it is recommended to ask a care advisory service early on about available offers in the area. Activating the private network via social media, bulletin boards, or school and kindergarten can also help.
Source: ntv.de | Ricarda Dieckmann, dpa
Enrichment Data:
- Short-term care, also known as Kurzzeitpflege in German, provides temporary inpatient care, often serving as transitional care after hospitalization or during care gaps.
- Respite care, or Verhinderungspflege in German, offers temporary relief for informal caregivers, usually family members, by substituting their care with professional services or other arrangements, allowing them to take a break for vacation, illness, or other reasons.
- Starting July 1st, 2025, long-term care insurance will merge the benefits for respite care and short-term care into a single, flexible annual budget of €3,539 for people with Care Level 2 (Pflegegrad 2) and above. This combined budget can be used for both services.
- The previous condition requiring at least six months of prior home care before qualifying for respite care has been removed, making respite care more accessible to those in need sooner.
- The reform aims to ease the administrative burden on care recipients and caregivers, as well as adapt the system to modern care needs by allowing beneficiaries greater freedom in managing temporary care support.
- No significant differences in benefit amounts or care quality are indicated in the change; the focus is on procedural simplification and budget flexibility.
- The reform coincides with efforts to improve working conditions for care staff, including raising minimum wages for nursing professionals starting July 2025.
- In light of the community policy changes from July 1st, caregivers can now benefit from a combined budget of €3,539 per calendar year for both short-term care and respite care, promoting workplace-wellness and mental-health by offering them a chance to recharge.
- With the integration of science and health-and-wellness, the reform aims to modernize domestic care in Germany by providing vocational training programs for caregivers, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills for nutrition and fitness-and-exercise.
- To further prioritize the health and well-being of caregivers, mental-health resources, such as counseling services, will be made available to those who need it, as part of the revised community policy, starting July 1st.
