Living in old age: How do I find the right level of care?

It is best to start by asking yourself how much care is actually needed and what activities the person requiring care needs help with. Is hourly care sufficient, or does your relative need round-the-clock assistance? There are calculators available online, for example from some care insurance funds, which can estimate the level of care required. If it becomes increasingly clear that inpatient care is the only option, apply to the care insurance fund for a care level to be determined in order to receive financial support. This works particularly smoothly if you have a power of attorney for care and a living will with the person in need of care so that you are not only the contact person for the care insurance funds, but can also arrange for the doctors to be notified in an emergencyso that you are not only the contact person for the care insurance funds , but can also arrange for doctors to take action in an emergency and other medical treatment in the future.

Prepare well for the assessment

After you have submitted the application, an assessor from the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds (MDK) or, for privately insured persons, an employee of Medicproof will assess the care needs on site. Good preparation is crucial here. Before the appointment, gather all documents that provide an impression of the health status and limitations of the person in need of care. These include, for example, doctor's letters, but also an overview of all medications the person is taking. A disability card or documents from the care service can also be helpful. Make a note of situations in which you notice limitations, where the person in need of care needs help, and what problems arise in everyday life and during care. Care advisors from your health insurance company or municipally funded care centers can go through all the points that are important for the assessment with you in advance and help you prepare for the appointment. Talk to your relative about the appointment in advance. They should describe their condition as realistically as possible, without exaggerating or dramatizing anything.

The assessor uses eight modules with a total of 64 assessment points. They interview your relative who needs care and check their motor and communication skills. While those with care level 1 only require minor assistance, for example with shopping or cleaning, the restrictions for care levels 2 to 5 are considerably greater. In this case, the person in need of care is entitled to care in a residential facility.

Appeal if your application is rejected

The long-term care insurance fund must decide on the application within 25 working days. If it has recognized a care level, you will receive financial support retroactively from the date of application. If the need is not recognized or a care level that is too low is determined, you can lodge an appeal within one month.

Are you considering moving to an age-appropriate home and don't know what to do with your own home? We would be happy to advise you on your options.

 

Not found:

• Wikipedia: Need for care
• Wikipedia: Long-term care insurance in Germany
• Wikipedia: Care benefits in kind

Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice in individual cases. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your specific case.

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