In this guide, you can find out everything you need to know about your entitlement to leave as a family caregiver. As a person who cares for a loved one in need of care, you are entitled to up to 42 days of respite care per year. Find out everything you need to know now!
Care leave for family carers - the most important facts at a glance:
- The type and manner of vacation replacement must always be based on the needs of the person requiring care.
- Family carers can receive up to 42 days a year of respite care from the care insurance fund. Preventive care is also often referred to as substitute care.
- If the carer is unavailable, respite care can be used for a limited period of time.
- In some cases, this can be offset against the care allowance.
- In Germany, a care hotel in or near your vacation destination can also be an alternative.
- It is advisable to submit an application in advance, but this is not mandatory. If you apply for respite care retroactively, you must obtain detailed confirmation of the services received from the service provider. You then submit the proof from the service provider together with the completed application to the care insurance fund.
What is respite care (substitute care)?
Whether it's a trip to the cinema, a doctor's appointment, a visit to the zoo with the grandchild or a family celebration far away or over several days: you can take advantage of respite care. In the case of longer-term absence, this includes, for example, hospitalization of the caregiver, recreational leave or professional training lasting several days.
It is important to know that a caregiver is by definition only someone who does not care for the person in need of care professionally at home. This can be relatives such as spouses, children, neighbors or friends. As soon as you earn money from providing care, you are no longer legally entitled to respite care.
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The respite care service takes over care and household-related services in your absence. In addition to acute care, this also includes, for example, your household help. The aim is to ensure that the person in need of care can enjoy the same standard of care and living as if you were there as a family member providing care.
Preventive care benefits
Respite care can be a great help for the main caregiver. With the help of substitute caregivers and the corresponding hours, days and weeks in which respite care is available, tasks such as household chores, personal hygiene, help on the toilet, assistance with shopping, meal preparation, housework and administering medication can be managed efficiently and effectively.
These substitutes are invaluable for people who need medical treatment and basic care and are looking for someone to support them. In addition, the qualified staff ensure that all tasks are carried out safely and in accordance with safety regulations. This way, everyone involved can be sure that the best care is provided and that everyone is cared for effectively and efficiently.
What are the requirements for respite care?
Preventive care is financially covered for people with care needs from care level 2. In order to be eligible for respite care, the carer must have already cared for the person in need of care for 6 months prior to the first use of respite care (pre-care period).
It is irrelevant whether at this point in time only care level 1 or no classification had yet been made. However, at the time of the preventive care, a care level 2 must exist.
Who can provide respite care?
As part of the prevention program, long-term care insurance covers up to €1,612 per year for the costs of substitute care. For this to be possible, professional carers or people who do not live with the person in need of care and are not closely related must provide the substitute care. This is a great help to many people as it offsets the high costs associated with the long-term medical and personal care that many older citizens face.
You can hire care services for this purpose, as well as the following for household-related services domestic help and everyday help service providers. It is important that these are certified and accepted by the care insurance companies. It is therefore essential that you ask whether your desired service provider has these accreditations.
Entitlement to respite care: support with checking your entitlement
It is always advisable to submit an application for respite care to the care insurance fund of an insured person in need of care. In some cases, it may even be necessary to do this in advance: If you can predict when you will need replacement care, you can ensure that the care insurance fund will cover these costs later.
In emergencies, it is also possible to apply retrospectively. However, there is often a time limit of four years and evidence must be provided. We support you in checking and enforcing your claim. Simply contact the team at the Agentur für Haushaltshilfefor further information.
