Family caregivers can also take leave. Eldercare expert Jürgen Griesbeck explains how this works.
Always there for others, always ready for action: almost 1.4 million people in Germany care for relatives such as their parents at home. This often leaves little time for relaxation. What many people don't know: The care insurance funds cover the costs of alternative care to a certain extent so that carers can take time out.
There are various options for alternative care during your vacation:
Care insurance pays the costs of alternative care in addition to the regular care allowance. Caring relatives therefore do not suffer any financial losses.
Good to know!
Replacement care due to leave can only be applied for if the person in need of care has previously been cared for at home for at least six months. It is irrelevant whether this is provided by one person or by different people. This so-called pre-care period does not apply to those in need of care who have care level 4 or 5 at the start of the substitute care and are younger than 25.
The care insurance fund also pays for alternative care if the caregiver is ill. In this case, this is referred to as respite care. Unlike substitute care due to vacation, for which care must be provided for six months beforehand, respite care can be applied for as soon as the carer falls ill. There are two options here: On the one hand, hourly care at home or short-term care in a home.
People in need of care who have at least care level 2 are entitled to substitute or respite care as well as short-term care. Substitute or respite care can only be applied for by private carers, neighbors or friends, but not by professional carers.
People in need of care are legally entitled to have their health insurance fund reimburse them for the costs of substitute care and short-term care up to an amount of 1612 euros per calendar year. Replacement care can be claimed for a period of six weeks, which corresponds to 42 calendar days, while short-term care can be claimed for eight weeks, i.e. 56 calendar days. The funds from both pots can be combined: Those who only claim short-term care can also draw on the entire budget for respite care and increase their benefit entitlement to €3,224. Conversely, insured persons who opt for respite care can also use the budget for short-term care - in this case, however, only up to a maximum of 50 percent, which limits the benefit amount to EUR 2,418 per calendar year.
When planning vacations, it is advisable to think anti-cyclically: the majority of Germans go on vacation during the summer and Christmas vacations. This means that care services and short-term care homes are also limited in their capacities at these times. It is easier to find alternative care outside the vacation periods.
My tip
"I can only recommend that all family caregivers take this time out, which is funded by the care insurance fund. You can recharge your batteries and take a break from everyday caring. Replacement or short-term care is also often an interesting and enriching experience for those in need of care. Short-term care is a particularly good way to get to know what it is like to live in a home for a short time with no obligation."
Jürgen Griesbeck, Product Manager Homecare-Eldercare, pme Familienservice Group