A care need in the family: what needs to be done now?
When someone needs help, you need a plan.
Care level, benefits, breaks: here you can see what comes first and what you are entitled to – clearly and in the right order.
Answer a few short questions. The list adapts and shows typical steps for your situation.
Good to know: the official websites linked here are mostly in German. German terms are shown in brackets so you can find them there.
Your personal plan
Guidance only, not legal or tax advice.
Your progress is saved only on this device, not with us.
Your deadlines at a glance
Enter the date above to see calculable guide dates here. Deadlines with an individual starting point are shown without a fixed date.
- Decision of the long-term care fund (Pflegekasse) dueResponsible office: long-term care fund (Pflegekasse)usually 25 working days after the application is received; the period can be interrupted and is shorter in certain cases
- Objection to the decisionResponsible office: long-term care fund (Pflegekasse)usually one month after the decision is issued; the information on legal remedies in the decision is decisive
- Give notice of care leave (Pflegezeit) – not for acute short-term absenceResponsible office: employerat least 10 working days before it starts, in text form
- Give notice of family care leave (Familienpflegezeit)Responsible office: employerat least 8 weeks before it starts, in text form; 3 months if directly after care leave
Deadlines can differ in individual cases, for example because of contracts, state law or special circumstances. Calculated dates are guide dates; what counts is the information from the responsible office. This overview helps you put the next steps in order. Depending on your situation, further urgent tasks may come up.
Step by step
- 1
Now
Apply and get advice. The sooner, the better.
An informal application is enough, even by phone. The long-term care fund is part of the health insurance fund. Benefits are paid from the month in which you apply – so it is better to apply early.
What do I say on the phone?
Say this in German:
„Ich möchte für [Name], versichert bei Ihnen unter der Nummer [Nummer], einen Pflegegrad beantragen. Bitte schicken Sie mir die Unterlagen und bestätigen Sie mir, dass der Antrag heute eingegangen ist.“
What it means:
“I would like to apply for a care level for [name], insured with you under the number [number]. Please send me the documents and confirm that the application was received today.”
People in need of care and their relatives are entitled to free advice from the long-term care fund. Local care support centres (Pflegestützpunkte) also offer independent advice.
What do I say on the phone?
Say this in German:
„Wir haben einen Pflegefall in der Familie und wissen nicht, wo wir anfangen sollen. Können wir einen Termin für eine Pflegeberatung vereinbaren?“
What it means:
“We have someone in the family who needs care, and we do not know where to start. Can we arrange an appointment for care advice?”
Without a lasting power of attorney, relatives cannot automatically make decisions or sign contracts. Spouses only have a very limited emergency right of representation in health matters. If the person can still decide for themselves, now is the right time.
- 2
Until the assessment
Being well prepared leads to a more accurate assessment.
For one or two weeks, note where help is needed: washing, dressing, eating, medication, orientation, at night. This helps with the assessment.
Medical reports, medication plan, hospital discharge letters and a list of the aids already in use. The more complete, the more accurate the assessment.
The Medical Service (Medizinischer Dienst), or Medicproof for those with private insurance, usually comes to the home. Be there and describe everyday life honestly, including the bad days.
- 3
After the decision
Check, choose and use what you are entitled to.
If the care level does not match everyday life, you can generally lodge an objection within one month of the decision being issued. Request the assessment report for this and note the information on legal remedies in the decision.
You can choose a care allowance (Pflegegeld) if relatives provide the care, care in kind (Pflegesachleistungen) from a care service, or a combination of both. The care fund will tell you the current amounts.
Each month there is an amount available for everyday help, such as household help or supervision. Money not used can be saved up for a while, but it expires at some point.
If the carer is unavailable, for example due to holiday or illness, the care fund pays for a substitute or short-term care from a combined annual budget.
Care bed, walker or grab rails, plus consumables such as gloves. There is a grant for alterations such as a walk-in shower.
- 4
For you as a relative
Caring is a long haul. You have entitlements too.
If a care situation arises suddenly, you can stay away from work for up to ten working days to organise care. There is no notice period for this, but you must inform your employer without delay. Under certain conditions, the long-term care fund pays a care support allowance (Pflegeunterstützungsgeld) to replace wages. For longer time off to care for a close relative at home, there is care leave (Pflegezeit) of up to six months, which you announce in text form, for example by email, at least ten working days in advance, and family care leave (Familienpflegezeit) of up to 24 months while working at least 15 hours a week, which you announce in text form at least eight weeks in advance. If family care leave follows directly on from care leave, the notice period is three months; if care leave follows directly on from family care leave, it is eight weeks. There is a right to care leave only with employers who usually have more than 15 employees, and to family care leave only with more than 25 employees, not counting trainees.
Anyone caring for a person with care level 2 or higher for at least ten hours a week, spread over at least two days, may receive pension contributions from the care fund.
Care funds offer free courses, for example on positioning, mobility or dealing with dementia, sometimes even in your own home.
Self-help groups and advice centres help you not to carry the strain alone. Breaks are not a luxury but part of caring.
This website offers general information and guidance for typical life situations. The checklist created from your answers is not a complete or binding review of your individual situation. Further obligations and deadlines may apply. Please clarify important legal questions and deadlines with the responsible offices. This service does not replace individual legal, tax or medical advice.