Seeking help
People can become a care case suddenly and unexpectedly or slowly and gradually. In both cases, relatives and those affected have to adjust to a changed situation. Caring for parents at home not only means a lot of organization, it also raises the question of the right way to deal with each other.
Caring for a relative in your own family is hard work. Many people quickly reach their physical and mental limits. In many cases, burnout can be avoided if relatives seek help in good time and follow a few rules.
Care leave for employees
Employers with more than 15 employees are entitled to up to six months’ care leave for family caregivers, during which they do not receive a salary but remain covered by social insurance. Carers are guaranteed to return to their employer. As a rule, they remain covered by the care insurance fund for this period. Unemployment insurance entitlement is maintained. If necessary, contributions to health and long-term care insurance are paid by the long-term care insurance fund up to the minimum contribution.
Care leave and family care leave can also be combined for a maximum total period of 24 months.
In the event of sudden illness, family members have the right to take up to 10 working days off work. During this time, all insurances remain in place and there is even the option of claiming care support allowance.
You can find out more about this topic on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Clarify your options
Give your family plenty of thought about how you envisage the next stage of your life. Pay close attention to whether and to what extent wishes can be fulfilled. Clarify at an early stage whether the family relationship is strong and resilient enough to allow care at home. Don’t just act out of moral pressure and a sense of duty, otherwise you will soon be overwhelmed.
Obtain information
Distribute work
As a family caregiver, you are often under pressure to perform. The environment expects you to become a “co-therapist” and holds you responsible for the development of the condition of the person in need of care. In this situation, you can hardly manage to deliver a good result.
Therefore, spread the care over many shoulders in good time. These can be not only other family members, but also professional care services from outside. There are also many voluntary helpers such as church visiting services.
Complete a care course
Take part in a care course. Here you will acquire the necessary knowledge and learn the right moves. This will give you confidence in dealing with the person in need of care. Care insurance companies, charities or the medical services of the health insurance funds (Medicproof or MDK) offer care courses for relatives. These courses also allow carers to exchange experiences. Here you can get help from professionals and those affected and learn how they deal with the burdens.
Clarify expectations
Creating space
All care also affects the carer’s relationships with other people, especially their own family. Sometimes the entire family life has to be adapted to the requirements of caregiving. This can lead to frustration for everyone involved. Try to find a balance between your own needs and those of the person in need of care. The family can help you here.
Take it seriously if outsiders tell you that you are becoming increasingly irritable. This is a sign of overload. Try to create space for yourself and your family. The care insurance funds will cover the costs of a replacement caregiver for a maximum of four weeks per year (respite care). The prerequisite is that you have cared for the patient for six months (previously twelve months). You are also covered by pension insurance during this time.
Take advantage of this offer. Even if the person in need of care is reluctant to be cared for by someone else, you also need to relax. Frustrated and exhausted children are of no use to parents.
