More than two-thirds of all people in need of care are cared for at home by their families. For these, the care of relatives is usually associated with a high burden. But what claims and relief options are there for them? And who can they turn to if they need help?
Helga S., 76, suffers from Parkinson’s disease. In this disease, the nerve cells in the substantia nigra region of the brain, which controls the fluidity of bodily movements, slowly perish. In the meantime, the symptoms have progressed so far that Helga S. can no longer manage on her own. Her daughter Marlies has reduced her job as a chemical laboratory assistant to a half-time position and wants to take her in and care for her – together with her husband Peter, who works full-time as a civil servant. A room has become available in the basement of their single-family home since Marlies’ daughter moved out.
Care at home: initial information in care courses
Marlies realizes that her mother’s deteriorating condition over the years will require some time, responsibility and physical commitment from her, but daughter and mother get along very well. And since the illness was not sudden, everyone involved was able to adjust.
After the decision was made, Marlies attended a course for caregiving relatives, because her health insurance company cooperates with an educational center for health and social professions and offered corresponding courses. Topics included:
- The care bed
- The blood pressure measurement
- The pulse measurement
- The use of remedies and aids
- Back-friendly work
- Special techniques (for example, transfer from bed to chair).
- Personal hygiene
- Dealing with bedridden people
- Assistance with eating and drinking
- Questions about care and health insurance, as well as legal and institutional assistance.
In addition, basic medical knowledge about diseases and their effects on those in need of care.
Nursing courses: learn nursing care
Nursing courses for family caregivers and interested parties are offered by welfare agencies and organizations such as Caritas or even by hospitals, in many places under the collective name “sick assistance”. There are often special courses for dealing with people suffering from dementia and information on living wills and health care proxies. If course fees are incurred, they are often reimbursed by the long-term care insurance fund.
Number of people in need of care is growing
More than 2.8 million people in Germany are in need of care. Without a doubt, the biggest care providers are families and relatives. There are already over 4 million men and women over the age of 80 in Germany, it is the fastest growing age group.
The number of years their adult children have to care for them, either personally or through a care service, is growing: over ten years of care is no longer a rarity. 73 percent or more than 2 million people in need of care are cared for at home. Only 27 percent of all people in need of care are cared for in a nursing home. Of those receiving care at home, two-thirds are cared for exclusively by family caregivers.
