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Care Family carers

Caring for other people is an important task that can be extremely demanding. Family carers require broad support as they not only provide everyday assistance but also have to deal with a lot of organizational work. Many of them have to reconcile care and work or are of retirement age. Find out more about support services, social security and other forms of assistance.

Family carers

A care professional advises a patient. A care professional advises a patient.

Advice and training for carers

Looking after and supporting a person in need of care is a challenging task. The advice and further training opportunities offered by long-term care insurance help support carers in their role.

A carer checks an elderly lady’s temperature. A carer checks an elderly lady’s temperature.

Care knowledge for relatives

Providing care for people who are in need of it is often a demanding task. Training courses and advisory services provide the necessary expertise.

A woman in a wheelchair on a walk with her family. A woman in a wheelchair on a walk with her family.

When roles and relationships change due to care needs

When someone is in need of long-term care, the roles and allocation of responsibilities within the family may change. This can give rise to feelings that cause stress.

A mother and daughter face each other, laughing. A mother and daughter face each other, laughing.

Social security for family carers

When a person is being cared for a home, long-term care insurance will cover the costs of the carer’s various social insurance contributions, subject to certain conditions.

A person lies on a bed with a metal bed rail. Her arm lies on the bed rail. Another person holds this arm. A person lies on a bed with a metal bed rail. Her arm lies on the bed rail. Another person holds this arm.

Avoiding freedom-restricting measures in the care sector

Freedom-restricting measures prevent people from moving around freely. The use of such measures can be avoided in various ways.

Older woman in a summer blouse with her hand on her chest. She is straining and turning round to a younger woman holding a bottle of water in her hand. Older woman in a summer blouse with her hand on her chest. She is straining and turning round to a younger woman holding a bottle of water in her hand.

Hot weather: protecting older people and people in need of care

Heatwaves can cause serious health problems in older people and people in need of care in particular. Precautions can be taken that significantly reduce the risk.

A woman combs her elderly mother’s hair. The mother looks into a mirror, smiling. A woman combs her elderly mother’s hair. The mother looks into a mirror, smiling.

Mental and physical stress and strain experienced by family caregivers

Acting as a caregiver for a loved one can be very stressful, both mentally and physically. In this article, caregivers will learn how to avoid burnout.

Two women looking at a form together Two women looking at a form together

Additional relief allowance – a flexible benefit for care at home

The additional relief allowance is a versatile, flexible benefit that can be used in various ways for care at home. An annual total of 1,572 euros is available.

A woman helping an older lady fill out a document A woman helping an older lady fill out a document

24-hour care – support from live-in care staff

With live-in support (also known as 24-hour care), care staff move into the household where the care recipient is living. The legal aspects of the employment relationship need to be considered.

Home care for family members with dementia: the hands of an older woman and a younger person touching large jigsaw pieces spread out on a tabletop. Home care for family members with dementia: the hands of an older woman and a younger person touching large jigsaw pieces spread out on a tabletop.

Caring for people with dementia

This article tells family caregivers what is important in relation to caring for people with dementia, and which support options are available.

Older woman leaning on a window and looking out sadly. Older woman leaning on a window and looking out sadly.

Preventing abuse in a home care setting

Abuse and aggression by those providing care to loved ones at home is an important topic. Read more here about its causes, the forms it may take and how it can be prevented.

An elderly gentleman is being shaved. An elderly gentleman is being shaved.

Reconciling care and work

Reconciling care and work is usually difficult. Care services, leave entitlements and company policies can help to improve reconciliation.

An elderly woman on a sofa is being helped to stand up. An elderly woman on a sofa is being helped to stand up.

Relief and support for family carers in older age

Many older people provide care to their loved ones. Older family carers are particularly reliant on support and relief to enable them to fulfill their caring role.

A child in a hospital bed holding an adult’s hand. A child in a hospital bed holding an adult’s hand.

Palliative care for children

Palliative care services for critically ill children and adolescents offer support to the family as a whole. Read on to find out what palliative care means and which options are available.

Preparing for the worst: close-up of a filing cabinet drawer with file labeled “just in case”. Preparing for the worst: close-up of a filing cabinet drawer with file labeled “just in case”.

Lasting powers of attorney, guardianship directives and advance healthcare directives

Advance directives enable you to control who can make decisions and act on your behalf in health, legal and financial matters if you are no longer able to do so for yourself.