If, during the course of a cancer illness there is a growing need for care and support, it must be examined whether the requirements for a classification regarding the degree of care necessary are met.
Until the end of 2016, the need for care was defined as the concrete need for personal care and hygiene and the managing of a household. The degree of care that may be required is classified in three categories.
Since 2017, the degree of independence is the central criterion by which the level of care needed is assessed. Physical, mental and psychological limitations of the affected are assessed equally and accounted for in the examination. For example, it is checked whether there is a concrete need for personal, i.e. personal hygiene, eating, drinking, and mobility in day to day life. In addition, it is checked whether there are limitations in taking part in social life. Altogether, the need for care is now divided into five categories.
Whoever has already received services from their nursing care insurance (“Pflegeversicherung”) before 2017, shall continue to receive these services to at least the same extent. The level of care will be transferred to a degree of care; the affected patient will of course not be classified to any lesser degree than before. A new application is not necessary.
The nursing care services can be in the form of nursing care aid (“Pflegegeld”), to be received by family members providing care at home or as payment in kind, and in the case of home care by an outpatient nursing care service. Both services can be combined.
If a shortfall in home care arises because of absence of the caregiver (vacation, illness), this time period can be bridged by a substitute caregiver as part of so-called respite care or by a short stay in a nursing home. The short-term and respite care services are combinable in different ways, depending on the circumstances. Respite care can only be received if a degree of need for care has existed for a minimum of 6 months.
If the patient in need of care is no longer able to remain at home, long-term care insurance will cover part of the costs of inpatient care in a nursing home.
If there is no need for care (according to nursing care insurance guidelines), but there is a need for treatment care (treatment of wounds, administration of medication) around the house, the attending physician can prescribe domestic nursing care. If needed, personal hygiene assistance can also be prescribed.
Since 2015, family members providing care have, under certain circumstances, been entitled to be granted leave from work as well as nursing care aid. In cases of extended nursing care services, they may also be entitled to compensation, in the form of loans, for missing work. More information on this can be found under the category nursing care time/family care time or at the webpage www.wege-zur-pflege.de
For exact clarification of your individual support needs and your entitlement to nursing care services, please use our welfare services, as well as the services offered by your nursing care insurance or a nursing care location near you.
An overview of the services of the nursing care insurance since 1.01.2017:
| Degree of care 1 | Degree of care 2 | Degree of care 3 | Degree of care 4 | Degree of care 5 |
Care allowance | | 316 € | 545 € | 728 € | 901 € |
Non-cash benefit | | 689 € | 1.298 € | 1.612 € | 1.995 € |
Full inpatient care | 125 € | 770 € | 1.262 € | 1.775 € | 2.005 € |
Semi-inpatient care | | 689 € | 1.298 € | 1.612 € | 1.995 € |
Short-term care | | 1.612 € | 1.612 € | 1.612 € | |
Additional care assistance | 125 € | 125 € | 125 € | 125 € | 125 € |