Respite services are intended to help those in need of care to cope better with the challenges of everyday life. Many people with a care degree do not know which offers of everyday support they are entitled to, so many resources remain unused. To avoid this, we have created an overview.
Care and respite services for people in need of care
Under "Offers for support in everyday life" includes various care and respite services. These can be divided into three different groups.
- Care services: Care services include both group and individual care. There are various forms of this care, for example day care or hourly care at home (home help, everyday support).
- Offers for support in everyday life: The various respite services include support in the household. This includes, for example, doing the laundry or cleaning the home. However, everyday relief can also look different, as it is not only about the household, but also about support with visits to the authorities, accompaniment to doctor's appointments or the promotion of social contacts.
- Offers to relieve the burden on carers: These services to support family caregivers help them to cope with everyday life. These include, for example, support services such as care companionship.
Shopping assistance and delivery: convenient service for senior citizens
Some of those affected not only go to the supermarket to stock up on food, but also to experience a bit of social life. However, it can be difficult for senior citizens to shop alone, carry heavy groceries or find their way around in everyday life. Nevertheless, they want to participate in life and not do without it.
Shopping assistance helps people to run their daily errands. Regardless of whether it is a temporary illness or a chronic disability that prevents them from shopping independently.
Shopping aids not only help with shopping, but also with planning shopping, writing shopping lists and putting groceries away.
Types of shopping assistance
There are different types of purchasing support:
- Shopping assistance: Shopping assistance is best suited to people with minor physical limitations. The assistance offers safety when leaving the house, company while shopping and support when carrying bags.
- Shopping agency: By arrangement, shopping can be delivered to the home by a shopping agency. Not only professional service providers, but also private helpers and welfare organizations offer these relief services.
- Click and collect: Supermarkets such as REWE or GLOBUS offer the practical "Click & Collect" service for people who can no longer shop for themselves for health reasons: You order and pay for the products online in advance and have them collected by your shopping representative.
- the delivery service: Some supermarkets and drugstores offer a delivery service. This is an interesting option for those who have very limited outdoor activities.
- the shopping bus: Welfare organizations offer various shopping services. For example, there are so-called "mobile shopping carts", a ride to the supermarket or shopping center.
- There are also "citizen cars". These are private individuals who drive other people to the store on a donation basis.
Financial support
Many people in need of care are cared for and looked after by their relatives from home. This means that everyday care takes place around the clock. This requires a lot of time and energy. In order to relieve caregiving relatives and promote the independence of the person in need of care, they are entitled to the relief amount.
Who is entitled to the relief amount?
Entitlement to the relief amount is defined by law in § 45bSGB X I [mfn]§ 45b SGB XI [/mfn]. This states that the entitlement to the relief amount is only granted if benefits have been claimed. In concrete terms, this means that the insured person must first bear the costs of additional care and respite services themselves and then submit the invoice to the relevant care insurance fund. Regardless of the level of care and everyday competence, the relief amount is €131. This serves to support the independence of the person in need of care and to relieve the burden on carers
Other aspects must also be present:
- There must be a care degree
- Care takes place at home
- The relief amount may only be used to relieve the burden on the relative (or comparable caregiver) or to promote the independence of the person in need of care.
- State law has recognized the relief and care services that are settled with the relief amount.
What can the relief amount be used for?
The relief amount can be applied for various types of assistance. It is only important to note that the services must be provided by a recognized provider.
In concrete terms, the measures claimed could be as follows:
- Help in the household
- Help/accompaniment with shopping
- Attending a leisure activity
- Participation in an exercise program
From care level 1 the relief amount can also be used for body-related self-care services. Examples of this would be assistance with bathing or showering.
Mobile pedicure services: So that foot care is not neglected
Seniors and people in need of care often neglect foot care, as the feet are a relatively difficult part of the body to reach. A mobile chiropody service can counteract this problem. If a medical case is the reason for the need for foot care, then medical or podiatric foot care should be sought.
Cosmetic and medical foot care
Cosmetic foot care includes care and preventative measures. A pedicure is usually performed, the toenails are trimmed and cleaned and calluses are removed. Massages are also carried out.
Medical foot care (podiatry ) is only necessary if the feet are diseased and altered by, for example, nail fungus, ingrown toenails or calluses.
Care aids without co-payment
According to §40Para. 2 SGB XI [mfn]§40 Para. 2 SGB XI[/mfn], people in need of care are entitled to a co-payment-free care package of up to €42 with care aids. The prerequisite for this is that the care level is at least 1 and the care is provided at home.
How can I apply for co-payment-free care aids?
Obtain information from the care insurance provider: Under certain circumstances, the care insurance provider will cover the costs of care aids. You can usually find detailed information on the website of the relevant insurance provider.
Application and submission: The next step is to submit an application to the long-term care insurance fund. This can usually be done in writing or by post. Please provide all the required information carefully and, if necessary, enclose all the required documents.
Processing the application: Your care insurance fund will review your application and decide whether to grant you free care aids. You will receive written notification of this decision. If the decision is positive, you will receive a cost commitment and further information on ordering the care aids.
Everyday companions and care assistants: help in every situation
Essentially, the task of everyday companions is to activate and accompany elderly people and people in need of care. This applies to both outpatient and inpatient care.
Everyday companions should be open to discussions about everyday matters, allay fears and provide guidance. The leisure activities are based on the expectations, wishes, abilities and sensitivities of the person entitled to care. The biography of the person being cared for should not be disregarded.
If the level of care is recognized, the costs for everyday support are covered by the care insurance fund. Their tasks include, among other things
- Shopping
- Cleaning
- Laundry
- Gardening
How do I find an everyday companion?
Finding a suitable everyday companion can be very challenging. If you are looking for a everyday companion you can contact various organizations. Good options are care support points, outpatient services, large charitable organizations (DRK, Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband), senior citizens' offices or private companies, and online placement platforms in particular offer a wide range of options.
Domestic help and cleaning assistance: a tidy home despite restrictions
If a person in need of care requires relief in their everyday life, a home help could be a good option. They take on various household tasks that are physically difficult or impossible to manage.
Household clearance: help from professionals
When people accumulate a lot of memories, furniture and personal belongings over the course of their lives. If this person moves into a care home or passes away, the entire home often has to be downsized or dissolved, which is often a major organizational and emotional challenge for everyone involved.
Household clearance by a house clearance company
Professional decluttering companies can be found in the Yellow Pages or online. Reputable companies will only be able to provide a quote after a consultation and possibly an inspection. Every household is different; on the one hand, there are cases where only a small apartment needs to be cleared out, while on the other hand, it may be necessary to clear out a multi-story house.
Takeover of journeys
In the case of medically necessary trips to the doctor or hospital, the costs may be covered by the health insurance company. The attending doctor must issue a prescription proving that the trip was medically necessary.
In the case of outpatient treatment, this is only covered in specific cases. Examples of this are chemotherapy, very high care levels or severe mobility restrictions.
Travel costs incurred by traveling to short-term care can be reimbursed by the care insurance fund via the relief amount.
From care level 2 the organization of transport to the day care facility is the responsibility of the day care facility. The costs for this are included in the day care costs and are therefore covered by the care insurance fund.
Long-term care benefits in kind
Long-term care benefits in kind are used to finance professional specialists. This covers the costs incurred for the work of the specialist. The budget is based on the care level.
Care level 1: For care level 1, there is no entitlement to care benefits in kind.
Care level 2: 796 €
Care level 3: €1,497
Care level 4: € 1,859
Care level 5: 2.299 €
The care benefit in kind according to § 36 SGB XI [mfn]§ 36 SGB XI[/mfn] states that people with a care level of 1 to 5 are entitled to professional home help for personal hygiene, care and household services. In addition, the care benefit also includes guidance for people in need of care and caregivers. The costs are covered by the care insurance companies up to the maximum amount of the care degree.
A care contract must be concluded with the care insurance fund in order for the care benefit in kind to be provided. This can also be concluded with individuals if they are not close relatives of the person in need of care.
