What levels of care are there?
Up to 2016, Germany had care levels 0 to 3, which were replaced in 2017 by the care levels that assign more people the need for care. Care level 0 is used rather colloquially and is not explicitly mentioned in the German Care Insurance Act (SGB XI). Care level 0 includes all persons insured under long-term care insurance who suffer from a permanent, considerably limited competence in everyday life and have an increased need for care.
This refers to people who suffer from dementia, are mentally ill or mentally handicapped and probably need care for more than six months. Care level 1 is given to people with an increased need for care, i.e. people who need about 90 minutes of help at least once a day in at least two areas of basic care (personal hygiene, nutrition, mobility). Care level 2 is awarded to people who are demonstrably in need of heavy physical care.
This means that help with basic care is needed at least three times a day at different times of the day. The assistance needed covers three hours a day. Finally, people in need of the most severe care are assigned care level 3, where the need for help with basic care is at least 5 hours a day.
Care level 0 is not officially used in the German Nursing Care Insurance Act (SGB XI), but this term is often used colloquially for people who have limited competence in everyday life. This refers to people in need of care who suffer from dementia, are mentally ill or mentally handicapped and therefore have difficulties in everyday life. This refers to people in need of care who are likely to require special care for longer than 6 months.
Patients with limited competence in everyday life are conspicuous, for example, by the fact that they are unaware of the dangers of everyday life, cannot structure their daily routine or have a tendency to run away (running away from dementia patients). The need for long-term care is assessed by an expert from the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Fund (MDK). In order to be classified as having limited everyday competence, a “minimum level of care” was required at the time of the care levels (according to the Care Insurance Act SGB XI).
In severe cases, this is referred to as a person in need of care with an additional increased need for care, for example, in the case of severe dementia patients. Care level 0 applies above all to dementia patients, mentally ill persons and people with mental disabilities, who primarily require care and supervision and require little medical care. The need for care is assessed by an expert from the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Fund (MDK).
In order to be classified as having limited everyday competence, a “minimum level of care” was required at the time of the care levels (according to the Care Insurance Act SGB XI). In severe cases, this is referred to as a person in need of care with an additional increased need for care, for example, in the case of severe dementia patients. Care level 0 applies above all to dementia patients, mentally ill persons and people with mental disabilities, who primarily require care and supervision and require little medical care.
Care level 1 is one of the three officially defined care levels in the reform, which is valid until 2016. This level of care enables people in need of considerable care to receive benefits from the care insurance funds. A person is considered to be in considerable need of care if he or she requires assistance with at least two tasks of basic care a day.Basic care includes In order to receive support from the nursing care insurance funds, the affected person must also need help in the household several times a week.
The time required for all help during the day is at least 90 minutes on a weekly average. Many elderly people who suffer from physical illnesses and additionally dementia or a mental illness or mental handicap lasting longer than 6 months are assigned to this level of care. People who were previously assigned to care level 1 have been assigned to care level 2 since 01.
01. 2017. They receive 316€ per month for care provided by relatives such as family or friends.
Dementia patients with care level 1 are now assigned to care level 3 and receive 545€ per month for care by relatives.
- Body care
- Food intake
- Mobility.
People in need of care who can be proven to be (mostly physically) in need of heavy care were given care level 2 until 2016. The so-called heavy care need exists if the person concerned needs support with basic care (personal hygiene, nutrition, mobility) at least three times a day at different times.
In addition, the affected person is dependent on help with household chores several times a week. The daily average should be at least three hours, of which at least 2 hours should be basic care. Persons in need of care who meet these requirements of the Care Insurance Act receive care level 2 on the shelf with all the associated care services.
In the special case, when a person in need of heavy care also suffers from dementia, is mentally ill or mentally handicapped for at least six months, he or she will receive care level 2 with limited everyday competence. As a result, those in need of care receive more care and supervision. Patients with the former care level 2 are automatically assigned to care level 3 and receive €545 per month for care by relatives.
Patients who were assigned to “care level 2 with limited everyday competence” correspond to care level 4 and receive €728 per month in care allowance. Persons in need of the most severe care correspond to care level 3. The affected persons need help around the clock with basic care and several times a week assistance in the household.
The nursing care insurance funds expect a time expenditure of at least five hours a day, of which body care, nutrition and mobility account for at least four hours. If the affected persons in need of the most intensive care also suffer from dementia, a mental illness lasting more than 6 months or a mental disability that restricts their everyday life, they are classified in the so-called care level 3 with restricted everyday competence. The former care level 3 corresponds to care level 4 and enables those in need of care to receive a monthly care allowance of €728 for care by relatives. People in need of special care with “care level 3 and limited everyday competence” correspond to care level 5, they receive €901 per month for care by relatives such as friends or family.
