Germany current state of care
Now more than ever, governments, public entities, the private sector and all citizens have roles to play in addressing the family (unpaid) caregiver problem. Caregivers should not have to face these hardships and inequities alone. As a society, we can help them, together. See why we need to provide more structured support and help from our key findings and insights directly from caregivers around the world.
What is your country currently doing to support caregivers?
Find out all you need to know about the current state of care in Germany. Our information covers topics like legislation, working arrangement for caregivers, respite care, what your country is doing to financially support caregivers, pension credits and the information and training you have access to.
Legislation
Current practises
Unpaid carers are legally recognized.
Opportunities to increase support
Increase funding to fully implement current policy initiatives.
Working arrangements
Current practises
The Act to Improve Compatibility between Family, Care and Work gives employees a right to partial leave of absence for up to 24 months if they are looking after a close relative requiring long-term care in the home environment.ii
Opportunities to increase support
Continue to promote a work-life balance by providing education and driving awareness on employment leave programs available to unpaid carers.
Respite care
Current practises
The German Government provides subsidies to relieve unpaid carers through respite care and short-term care.iv
Opportunities to increase support
Provide more funding for professional household services, professional respite and day- and night-care.
Financial support
Current practises
The German Government provides either a Care Allowance or home care in-kind to the dependent person, but not the unpaid carer directly.i
Opportunities to increase support
Reduce bureaucratic obstacles to make it easier for unpaid carers to obtain support for their dependent.
Pension credits
Current practises
The German Government provides non-contributory pension credits, accident insurance and unemployment insurance to unpaid carers that qualify.iii
Opportunities to increase support
Pass legislation to provide a secured pension income directly to unpaid carers.
Information and training
Current practises
Long-term care insurance offers care courses in which unpaid carers can learn practical skills either in groups or individually at home. In addition to this, group training sessions offer the opportunity to exchange experiences with other unpaid carers.v
Opportunities to increase support
Increase awareness and education of training and services currently available to unpaid carers.
References
i GBE Kompakt. (2015). Informal caregivers – Germany’s largest nursing service. Page 2. http://www.rki.de/EN/Content/Health_Monitoring/Health_ Reporting/GBEDownloadsK/2015_3_informal_caregivers.pdf?__blob=publicationFile [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
ii Ibid.
iii European Commission. Germany – Benefits for those in need of care. Page 1. http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=1111&intPageId=4548& [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
iv GBE Kompakt. (2015). Informal caregivers – Germany’s largest nursing service. Page 2. http://www.rki.de/EN/Content/Health_Monitoring/Health_ Reporting/GBEDownloadsK/2015_3_informal_caregivers.pdf?__blob=publicationFile [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]
v Ibid.