Au-pair and her host family receive award from pme
Parent & Child
02.03.2026 Ifenna Ekezie 2767

Au-pair the year 2025 is Brenda from Mexico

Brenda Jiménez from Mexico was Familienservice Au-pair Year 2025 by her host family and pme Familienservice . She settled in quickly in Pfronten, at the foot of the Allgäu Alps: "She walks through the mountains with the boys, discovers local markets, and diligently practices German to communicate even better with us," says host mother Lea. 

Brenda enchants the Allgäu region  

Since August 2025, Brenda Jiménez has been the "bright star" of the Trenkle family. After just a short time, she has enriched family life in the Allgäu region for Leo (1), Charlie (3), and parents Lea and Kilian – with empathy, initiative, humor, and her warmth. Within a few months, Brenda has become deeply rooted in everyday German life, making friends and bringing new cultures and languages together. 

"With her loving, positive, and humorous nature, she brings laughter and warmth to our everyday lives—the children simply adore her and love it when she tells stories from Mexico or romps with them through the alpine meadows." – The Trenkle family 

Warmth that goes through the stomach 

"Brenda goes above and beyond," her host family writes. She impresses not only with her warm care, but also with her cooking skills. Once a week, she serves Mexican specialties such as fresh tacos or enchiladas – a highlight for the whole family. 

With her keen intuition, Brenda is always there when needed—whether picking up the children or preparing dinner. Her dedication and energy make the Trenkle family's life both varied and relaxed. 

"Their energy and commitment turn our hectic family life into a real adventure, but also bring deceleration and relaxation into it!" says the Trenkle family.

What is an "Au-pair Year" at pme Familienservice? 

Since 2013, pme Familienservice has been awarding Familienservice "Au-pair " prize to young people from abroad who enrich families in Germany with their commitment, openness, and sense of responsibility.

Host families nominate their Au-pair a personal testimonial, such as the Trenkle family nominating Brenda for her exceptional commitment.

Au-pair with pme Familienservice 

With over 30 years of experience, pme Familienservice is Familienservice strong partner for secure and certified Au-pair in Germany. Families and au pairs benefit from comprehensive information, qualified advice, and reliable support throughout the entire stay.  

Would you like Au-pair an Au-pair as a host family? Find out what requirements must be met. 

Would you like to becomeAu-pair Germany? Create your profile for free and find your host family. 

zero Applying for a care degree: what you need to know

Age & care
16.03.2023 Gabriele Strasser 14881

Applying for a care degree: what you need to know

Anyone applying for a care degree should be well prepared for the visit from the Medical Service of the health insurance funds. 

People in need of long-term care are entitled to benefits from long-term care insurance. In order to receive these benefits, the person in need of care (or a relative) must submit an application to their long-term care insurance - a department of their health insurance company. If a need for care is established, the benefits are paid retroactively up to the date of application. It is therefore important to submit the application as soon as possible.

The long-term care insurance then commissions the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds (MDK) to draw up an expert opinion on the extent of the need for long-term care. For this purpose, an assessor visits the person in need of care.

The right preparation for a visit from the medical service

A great deal depends on this visit, as the MDK's report is the basis for the care insurance company's decision on whether and what benefits the person in need of care will receive. Relatives and patients should prepare well for this appointment (which must be announced well in advance). For example, it is advisable to keep a care diary for several days in which all care activities that are relevant for the care insurance are noted. It also makes sense to talk to the patient in advance about their need for help in everyday life. Particularly important: Even if patients understandably want to present themselves in a good light, they should clearly demonstrate their need for help at the assessment appointment and not gloss over the situation in any way.

You should have these documents ready

  • Reports from the family doctor, specialists or the discharge report from the hospital, if available. 
  • Current medication plan.
  • If a care service comes, care documentation.
  • Care diary, in which you note down in advance all care activities that are relevant for care insurance.

Compensation possible in the event of delay

The long-term care insurance funds are bound by a deadline when processing applications. A maximum of 25 working days may elapse between the MDK's visit and the decision. If it takes longer, people in need of care or their relatives can claim compensation of 70 euros per week or part thereof. However, this regulation does not apply if the person in need of care lives in a care home and already has at least care level two. Or has no care level been approved at all? In such cases, people in need of care and their relatives can lodge an appeal against the decision. If this is also unsuccessful, there is always the option of going to the social court.

Appeal against the MDK's decision - how to do it

If the Medical Service rejects the application for a care degree, or if the classification is lower than expected, you can lodge an appeal within 28 calendar days. You can also lodge several appeals. If the appeal is rejected twice, the social court will decide.

  • Ask for a reason for the rejection and use this to formulate your objection.
  • The long-term care insurance fund examines the appeal and sends an expert again.
  • If the new assessment is positive, you will receive benefits from long-term care insurance retroactively from the date of the first application.
  • If you are not yet in need of care to the extent that a care degree is approved, you can submit a new application after a certain period of time.
  • You can also submit a new application for long-term care insurance benefits if your state of health changes significantly.


"A lot depends on the visit from the medical service. We recommend that people in need of care and their relatives prepare well for this appointment."

Jürgen Griesbeck, Product Manager Homecare-Eldercare, pme Familienservice Group

 

 
 
 

pme Familienservice Group - Your EAP provider since 1991

On behalf of more than 900 employers, the pme Familienservice Group supports employees in achieving a successful work-life balance and being able to work with a clear head.
The pme Familienservice Group supports employees in crises, e.g. conflicts at work, addiction or partnership problems. With a homecare eldercare service, it relieves the burden on professionals in organizing and financing care services and offers psychosocial support. The pme Academy offers seminars, workshops and coaching on the topics of personnel management and development.
You can find out more about the pme Familienservice Group here: www.familienservice.de/wer-wir-sind

 

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Sarah-Constanze Krogmann

Nationwide Product Manager for Au-pair Early Childhood Educators

Sarah-Constanze Krogmann is a trained bilingual educator and has worked as Au-pair Ireland herself. From her experience, she understands the needs of both au pairs and families and provides expert support to both sides, from the search to the stay.

Contact:

aupair@familienservice.de