Support in one's own four walls plays a decisive role in being able to live independently in old age. A home help not only makes everyday life easier, but also contributes significantly to the quality of life of those affected.
A home help relieves the family by taking on important everyday tasks that may present a challenge.
Taking on these everyday tasks not only reduces the pressure on relatives, but also ensures that senior citizens can live in a familiar and confidential environment. This is particularly important for mental well-being, as relatives are often heavily involved in their professional or private lives and cannot always find the time or energy to take on all tasks.
What is a home help?
A home help supports senior citizens and people in need of care in running their own household and can therefore make a decisive contribution to a self-determined life. This support is particularly valuable as it enables those affected to remain in their familiar surroundings and improve their quality of life.
Domestic helpers take on various tasks that are essential for day-to-day life management. These include cleaning, cooking, washing and grocery shopping. These activities not only relieve the burden of everyday life at home, but also ensure that an appropriate living environment is maintained.
Overall, a home help is an indispensable relief in everyday life for senior citizens and people in need of care. It promotes independence, well-being and offers important help in the household by taking over everyday tasks and thus giving those affected freedom for personal activities.
Definition and tasks of a domestic help
A home help takes care of the household when the resident can no longer do it themselves. In this role, the home help takes on essential tasks that make everyday life easier and create a pleasant living atmosphere at home.
Domestic helpers are among the everyday companionsespecially when it comes to managing household tasks. Their use is of great importance, as they help those affected to remain in their familiar surroundings, even if they are restricted in their mobility or capacity.
Typical tasks of a domestic helper include tidying and cleaning the living and sleeping areas as well as the bathroom. These activities not only ensure a clean and tidy home, but also increase the well-being of the residents.
Who is a home help suitable for?
A home help is suitable for various life situations in which support is needed in everyday life. Their role is particularly important for senior citizens and older people who are often dependent on help if their independence is limited or a degree of care is available. In such cases, a home help can provide valuable support to maintain daily living standards and promote well-being.
Pensioners also have the option of claiming home help, especially if they are in need of care or suffer from health restrictions that make it impossible for them to run their own household independently. This support enables them to remain in their familiar environment while receiving the help they need to cope with everyday tasks.
A home help therefore makes a decisive contribution to maintaining quality of life and ensuring a dignified life in your own home.
Senior citizens and older people
Home helps are particularly important for senior citizens, who often have difficulty running their household independently. When independence is reduced due to physical limitations or age-related changes, home helpers offer valuable support to cope with everyday tasks.
People in need of care
People with a recognized degree of care or those who are considered to be in need of care due to illness or disability can also benefit from a home help. This support helps to organize everyday life and ensures that important tasks continue to be carried out.
Pensioners with illnesses
Pensioners who suffer from chronic or acute illnesses may also be entitled to household help. If they find it difficult to run their own household due to their health situation, a home help is a sensible solution to maintain their quality of life.
Relatives of people in need of care
Family members of people in need of care can also benefit from a home help. This relief enables the relativesto resume their own commitments and leisure activities while providing support for their loved ones.
Entitlement to domestic help
People in need of care and people who are unable to manage their household independently due to serious illnesses are entitled to household help. In such cases, a home help is an important support for coping with everyday life and leading a self-determined life.
From a recognized care level 1 you can use the relief amount to finance a home help. This financial allowance helps to cover the costs of the support you need and enables you to get the help you need.
From care level 2 the long-term care insurance fund will help you to pay for household help through the prevention care. This provides even more comprehensive support to ensure that you are well looked after in your familiar surroundings.
From care level 1: household support
People with a recognized care degree are entitled to certain amounts each month to help improve their quality of life and finance necessary support services. The entitlement to home help depends on the degree of care required.
Every person in need of care who lives in home care is entitled to the so-called relief amount of up to €131 per month. This amount can be used to finance a home help who makes everyday life easier and takes on important household tasks.
The amount of benefits increases with the care level, which means that people in need of care in higher care levels can receive additional financial support to meet their needs.
From care level 2: Costs for a home help
From care level 2, care insurance provides people in need of care with additional options for financing household help in addition to the relief amount. These arrangements are particularly important to ensure that those affected receive the support they need to successfully manage their everyday lives.
The benefit amount for preventive care is EUR 1,685 per year. This support enables people in need of care to make use of household help if the regular caregiver is unable to attend, whether due to illness or other reasons. This ensures continuous care.
In addition, the monthly freely available care allowance can be used to pay for domestic help for senior citizens.
Furthermore, people in need of care from care level 2 who are cared for in their own home receive monthly so-called care benefits in kind. These services can also be used to provide support in the home, which helps to further improve the quality of life of those affected.
No care level yet? Check your entitlements now!
If you do not yet have a care degree, you can still check your entitlement to support or benefits in the area of care.
Collect information
First check your current health situation and document all relevant information, such as :
- Existing illnesses or restrictions
- Need for help in everyday life (e.g. cooking, cleaning, shopping)
- Support from relatives or other people
Take advantage of advice
Take advantage of advice services that can help you check your entitlement. These include
- Care support centers
- Social services
- Advice centers of care insurance companies
Apply for a care degree
The application process for a care degree takes place in several steps:
- Application: The first step is to apply for a care degree from the relevant care insurance fund. This application can be made in writing or by telephone.
- Fill in the form: After submitting your application, you will receive a form that must be completed. This asks for information about yourself, the nature of your symptoms, your living situation and the help you need.
- Expert opinion by the MDK: Once the application has been submitted, the long-term care insurance fund commissions the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Fund (MDK) or another expert to check the care level. This assessor carries out an assessment of independence and the need for assistance. This is usually done through a personal interview and an assessment of daily living.
- Assessment and decision: The MDK prepares an expert opinion which is sent to the long-term care insurance fund. Based on this, the care insurance fund decides on the level of care and informs you of the result in writing.
- Possibility of objection: If the application is rejected or you do not agree with the level of care determined, you have the option of lodging an objection.
Find out more about the care degree application!
Tips for the MDK assessment: Keeping a care diary
A care diary is an extremely useful tool for optimally preparing for the MDK assessment. Here are some tips on how to keep an effective care diary:
Daily documentation
Keep the care diary for a period of at least two to four weeks to get a comprehensive overview of your everyday life. Make daily notes:
- Tasks that you complete independently: Indicate how long it takes you and whether you have any difficulties.
- Tasks for which you need assistance: Document exactly what help you need and from whom (e.g. relatives, neighbors, professional carer).
Observations on physical and mental abilities
Write down how you feel on different days. Pay attention to this:
- Energy level: Which activities are particularly strenuous?
- Cognition: Are there days when you are less able to concentrate or have difficulties with your memory?
Record restrictions in detail
List specific restrictions in everyday life, such as
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Problems with dressing or personal hygiene
- Restrictions on food intake or cooking
Note frequency and duration of help
Make a note of how often you are dependent on support and how long this support is used. This can help to clarify the actual need for support.
Consider emotional aspects
Also make a note of how your situation affects you emotionally. Do you feel overwhelmed, lonely or frustrated, for example? This information can clarify the overall picture of your situation.
Summarizing overview
At the end of your care diary, create a short summary of the most important points that you would like to address in the MDK assessment. This summary can help you to present your arguments in a clear and structured way.
Home help for senior citizens without a care level
Also Senior citizens without a care degree also have the option of having a temporary home help subsidized by the health insurance company.
However, this is not the rule and the availability of such services can vary. For seniors who need regular household assistance, hiring a private home help is often the better long-term solution.
The most straightforward way for senior citizens without a care degree to obtain reliable help in the household is to actively look for domestic help themselves and pay for it privately. This approach offers the advantage of responding flexibly to individual needs and finding the right support that meets personal requirements.
Private domestic help can provide valuable relief in everyday life and thus significantly improve the quality of life of those affected.
Home help from the health insurance fund: possibilities and limits
There is the possibility for older people to receive household help via the health insurance to apply for this. However, this support is usually limited to temporary situations, for example during the rehabilitation phase after an illness or in the event of temporary mobility restrictions.
It is important to note that the approval and scope of benefits may vary depending on the individual situation.
If you are privately insured, costs are not always covered. Private health insurance companies often have different policies and benefits compared to statutory health insurance, which means that it is advisable to find out about the specific conditions and options in advance.
Overall, applying for home help through health insurance provides valuable support during transitional phases, but it is important to also consider alternative solutions, especially for long-term needs.
Assumption of costs for domestic help
The cost of private domestic help depends in particular on the provider. Different providers may offer different price structures and services, so it makes sense to compare different offers to find the best option for your needs. The hourly rate for domestic help also varies depending on the region and the tasks performed.
Wages may tend to be higher in urban areas, while rural areas may offer lower prices. The specific tasks undertaken also influence the price. Services such as cooking and cleaning can be priced differently.
Financing a home help via the care insurance fund
If long-term support is required, you should care degree should be applied for should be applied for. The level of care is crucial in order to receive the necessary financial resources and assistance to enable independent daily living.
The amount of the available benefit in kind depends on the care level. These benefits in kind can be used for various support services, including the financing of domestic help or other household assistance services.
From care level 2, people in need of care are entitled to EUR 1,685 per year. These funds can help provide the necessary support to maintain quality of life and cope with the various challenges of everyday life.
Cost coverage for privately insured persons
If you have private insurance, the costs of domestic help are not always covered. In this context, there are differences depending on the tariff that determine whether and to what extent benefits for domestic help are reimbursed.
If in doubt, it is therefore advisable to ask your private health insurance provider directly whether a subsidy or assumption of the costs for a home help is possible. The health insurance advisor can give you detailed information about your individual tariff and the available benefits so that you can make an informed decision about the support you need.
Hire domestic help: These costs are incurred by you as a private employer
Even without a care degree and health insurance benefits, you can hire a home help privately. This option offers a flexible solution for getting the support you need in everyday life.
It is not necessary to hire an agency. You can also, as a as a private employer as a private employer. This allows for more individualized care and gives you the freedom to tailor the support exactly to your personal needs.
If you only need domestic help for a few hours a week, you can hire them on a mini-job basis. This arrangement is well suited if the need for support is sporadic or minor. In this way, the financial burden remains manageable and you benefit from the relief in the household at the same time.
Hire domestic help for senior citizens on a mini-job basis: You should keep this in mind
In the case of marginal employment on a mini-job basis, you register your domestic help with the mini-job center. This is an important step in order to comply with the legal framework and to register the employment correctly.
Private employers can declare the expenses for the mini-job in their tax return under "Household-related expenses". This option can help to claim part of the costs for tax purposes and thus reduce the financial burden.
As a private employer, you should make sure that the domestic help is likeable and leaves a trustworthy impression. Good chemistry is crucial so that the collaboration runs smoothly and you can feel safe while your domestic help is working for you.
How to find domestic help for senior citizens in your area
In the case of marginal employment on a mini-job basis, you register your domestic help with the mini-job center. This is an important step in order to comply with the legal framework and to register the employment correctly.
Private employers can declare the expenses for the mini-job in their tax return under "Household-related expenses". This option can help to claim part of the costs for tax purposes and thus reduce the financial burden.
As a private employer, you should make sure that the domestic help is likeable and leaves a trustworthy impression. Good chemistry is crucial so that the collaboration runs smoothly and you can feel safe while your domestic help is working for you.
Household-related services
Household-related services are support services that help senior citizens and people in need of care to manage their own households. These services play a key role in improving the quality of life and independence of those affected by making everyday tasks easier.
Household-related services include, among others:
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Washing
- Purchases
- Ironing
- Window cleaning
These tasks are essential for maintaining a well-maintained and functional living environment.
Household-related services can be financed by the care insurance fund or the health insurance fund, which provides financial relief for those affected. It is advisable to find out about the various funding options in order to get the support you need.
Conclusion: Home helps support senior citizens, people in need of care and family carers in their everyday lives
A home help can provide indispensable relief in everyday life for senior citizens and people in need of care. It enables those affected to live in their familiar surroundings and cope with everyday tasks that they may no longer be able to do independently.
Home helps support senior citizens in running their own household. Their tasks include cleaning, cooking, washing and grocery shopping. This support not only makes everyday life at home easier, but also increases the general well-being of those affected.
It is important to know that home help can be financed by the care insurance fund or health insurance, which is a valuable financial relief. Making use of these services helps to ensure that senior citizens receive the support they need to lead a self-determined life.
