All the important information and tips when a relative needs care.
Discover the care advice from CAIR.
The sudden need for care or Home Care for a relative can be overwhelming and initially raises many questions. However, getting the relevant information should be the least of your worries. Getting the right care advice is crucial, which is why this guide provides a clear guide to the first steps that should be taken when a relative suddenly needs care. From recognizing the need to choosing the right care options, this guide will provide you with valuable advice and step-by-step guidance to make this transition as smooth and comfortable as possible.
If a family member, friend or acquaintance needs support in everyday life due to an unforeseen event such as a stroke, heart attack, illness or accident, it is first important to assess the situation correctly and take targeted further steps.
In everyday working life, it can quickly become challenging to find enough time to find a suitable solution for care or nursing services. As an employee, you have the option of taking up to 10 days of unpaid leave to organize Home Care . To avoid financial difficulties, you should apply for care support allowance from your care insurance fund.
Next, you should contact a care advice center. This is available free of charge at care support centers (local information and advice centers for people with care needs or their relatives) or other advice centers, such as care insurance or health insurance companies. There are numerous contact points in Germany that can provide you with help and advice.
Your care or health insurance provider and your local social services authority will help you find the right care advice. As soon as you have found a care advisor, they will work with you to create an initial needs analysis and determine your assistance and support services.
Since 2017, there have been five care levels in Germany, which determine the level of support required by a person in need of care. The appropriate level of care is assigned depending on the restrictions in everyday life.
From minor impairments (care grade 1) to severe impairments (care grade 5), there is appropriate care and suitable support services for every need.
The assessment procedure for classification into care levels in Germany is a detailed process that focuses on the independence and abilities of the person in need of care. In order to determine the correct care level, the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK) carries out an assessment. The assessment procedure can be divided into six (6) modules:
- Mobility
- Cognitive and communicative abilities
- Behavioral and psychological problems
- Self-care (e.g. personal hygiene)
- Dealing with disease-specific / therapy-related requirements - - Managing everyday life and social contacts
The respective modules have different weightings and specific questions. During the assessment, the MDK asks questions for which the answers are converted into points at the end. The points scored determine which care level the person receives.
The overview provides a brief insight and the most important information on each care level.
Care level 1 is assigned to people whose independence or abilities are limited, but who require less support. This is a slight impairment of independence.
People with care level 1 are entitled to relief amounts, counseling services and benefits such as day or night care that they can take advantage of. Care allowance for home care is not yet granted at this level.
The person must be limited in their independence or abilities to a certain extent, but not to the extent that extensive care is required.
An assessment is carried out by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Fund (MDK) or other independent assessors.
Care level 1 is issued if a score of 12.5 to 26.5 points is achieved in the assessment.
Care level 2 is assigned to people who already experience significant impairments to their independence.
People with care level 2 are entitled to care allowance, care benefits in kind, combination benefits, respite services, aids and measures to improve living space.
The person must have significant impairments to their independence or abilities.
Classification to care level 2 is based on an assessment by the MDK or another assessor if a score of 27 to 47 points is achieved in the assessment procedure.
Care level 3 is intended for people who have severe impairments to their independence or abilities.
This level offers higher benefits than the previous levels, including care allowance, care benefits in kind, full inpatient care, adaptation of the living situation and special care services
The person must have severe impairments in their independence or abilities.
If the person achieves a score of 47.5 to 69 points in the assessment procedure of the MDK or another assessor, they are awarded care level 3.
People with care level 4 suffer from severe impairments to their independence or abilities.
They receive higher financial benefits and more comprehensive support than the lower grades, including full inpatient care and specialized aids.
In order to be classified as care level 4, an examination by the MDK or an expert is required. A score of 70 to 89 points must be achieved for classification.
Care level 5 is for people with severe impairments of independence and additional complex care needs.
The support services include maximum care allowances and benefits in kind, full inpatient care, comprehensive home adaptations and specialized care aids.
People must have the most severe impairments and additional complex care requirements.
If the person in need of care achieves a score of at least 90 points in the MDK assessment procedure, they are awarded care grade 4. A maximum of 100 points are awarded in the assessment procedure.
In Germany, there are different types of care to ensure individual and suitable support for everyone.
24-hour homeHome Care in Germany refers to a care model in which care staff live in the home of the person in need of care around the clock. This means that the person being cared for has a helper at their side day and night. However, it does not mean that they work 24 hours a day. This type of care enables continuous care and support, which is particularly beneficial for older people with increased care needs. The aim is to provide assistance with everyday tasks such as getting dressed, doing the laundry or preparing meals. The main advantages are personal and individual Home Care as well as emotional support in your own home.
With the Cair app, you can easily find the right 24-hour homeHome Care. If you have any further questions about 24-hour homeHome Care or the app, take a look at our FAQs.
With outpatient care, people in need of care are looked after in their own home by professional care services or relatives. The advantage of this type of care is that those in need of care can remain in their familiar surroundings, which is particularly beneficial for their mental health. One disadvantage, however, can be the high level of coordination required and possibly inadequate professional care compared to an inpatient facility.
Semi-residential care offers Home Care temporarily during the day or night in a specialized facility, while the person in need of care spends the rest of the time at home. This relieves the burden on family caregivers and promotes social contact for the person in need of care, but can be associated with logistical challenges such as transportation and adapting to different care environments.
In full inpatient care, people in need of care are looked after around the clock in a nursing home. This type of care is particularly suitable for people with severe care needs or complex health problems, as constant medical supervision and professional care are guaranteed. The disadvantage is the loss of the familiar home environment and possibly higher costs.
Intensive care is aimed at people who require particularly intensive medical and nursing Home Care due to serious illnesses or after operations, often including life-sustaining measures. The advantage is the highly qualified Home Care and monitoring of the person. However, they are extremely dependent on nursing staff and have limited privacy due to constant monitoring.
Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and other distressing symptoms in people with terminal illnesses. It aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. One advantage is the comprehensive support in physical, psychological and spiritual matters, while the emotional burden of the approaching end of life can be seen as a disadvantage.
Care support services in Germany include financial support, professional care services and advisory services. These measures help people in need of care to remain in their familiar environment for longer and thus promote their independence. The flexible adjustment of benefits, such as care allowance, care benefits in kind and combination benefits, enables individualized Home Care according to specific needs.
These are the current financial benefits according to care level from the long-term care insurance fund in 2024.
* Preventive care and short-term care were converted into the respite budget in the latest care reform. The two support services were combined and from 01.07.2025, people with at least care level 2 will have a relief budget of €3,539.00 at their disposal. An exception applies to people who have not yet reached the age of 25 and have a care level of at least 4. They can access a relief budget of €3,386.00 in advance.
The combined care benefit is an option in Germany that allows people in need of care to combine both care benefits in kind and care allowance. This model offers flexibility and allows the benefits to be adapted to individual needs. Care benefits in kind include professional care services provided by licensed service providers, while care allowance is a financial support for relatives or other non-professional caregivers who provide Home Care .
Example: A person in need of care with care level 2 would like to receive 70% of the care benefit in kind and 30% of the care allowance. In this case, the person in need of care receives €532.00 (€760 * 70%) in long-term care benefits and long-term care allowance worth €99.60 (€332 * 30%).
In Germany, care costs can be claimed for tax purposes under certain conditions and requirements, thus offering an opportunity to provide financial relief for those in need of care and their relatives.
The deductible care costs include expenses for medical care, necessary care aids, medicines, trips to doctors or therapists as well as costs for necessary home modifications. Expenses for outpatient or inpatient care facilities can also be claimed.
It is important to keep all receipts and evidence carefully and to determine the exact amount of deductible care costs. These costs can be declared in the income tax return as extraordinary expenses or as household-related services. However, individual tax circumstances and changes in tax law should always be discussed with a tax advisor or financial expert to ensure that all tax relief options are optimally utilized.
After you have read through the information in our guide, you can use the following checklist as a guide for your next steps:
1. Apply to the long-term care insurance fund
2. Assessment and classification of the care level
3. Search for suitable Home Care with information on subsidies
If you have any questions about Home Care and care staff, we will be happy to help you. Simply send us a message to info@cair-app.com
Get more information about care support centers in Germany Information from the Federal Ministry on care allowanceInformation from the Federal Ministry on care benefits in kind
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