In Germany, the care level indicates a person’s need for care services and is crucial for eligibility to receive benefits from the care insurance fund. The allocation is based on a thorough analysis of the applicant’s health condition. How does this process work? What costs can be reimbursed? This is what this article is about.
Who is awarded care levels?
Care levels are awarded to individuals who, due to various health disorders, are limited in their independence and everyday competence. This includes people with physical impairments, dementia, chronic mental illnesses, or intellectual disabilities. Until 2016, there were three different care grades in Germany.
In 2017, the second law to strengthen long-term care introduced changes. Now, depending on the degree of impairment after a prior assessment, one of the care levels is awarded:
- Care Level 1
● Care Level 2
● Care Level 3
● Care Level 4
● Care Level 5
What does the assessment of care needs look like?
All people who apply for classification in a care level must undergo a special testing procedure that determines the need for assistance. Considering many factors, it is determined what intensity and duration of care are needed. Cases vary greatly – sometimes individual visits suffice, in other cases, constant presence of a qualified caregiver is needed.
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Ultimately, the care insurance fund of the applicant decides on the approval of the care level and the associated funding.
Who conducts the assessment of care needs?
Usually, experts from the medical service of the long-term care funds conduct these assessments. They take place at the applicant’s home and include a review of all aspects related to the daily functioning and challenges the person faces.
The tasks of the medical service include, besides the assessment of the care level, advice on care issues, estimates for the care insurance, and ensuring high quality of services.
Criteria for care needs assessment
The responsible person considers the following criteria:
- Mobility – the person’s ability to move independently and change their posture freely
● Cognitive and communicative abilities – the person’s ability to communicate and make decisions to orient themselves in everyday life
● Behavioral and psychological problems – occurrence of psychological problems such as aggressive behavior or anxiety
● Self-care – the person’s ability to take care of their basic daily needs
● Independent handling of demands and stresses from illness or therapy – the degree of needed help in dealing with illness and treatment
● Structuring one’s day and social contacts – the person’s ability to plan their day independently and maintain social contacts
Points for the assessment of care needs
After analyzing the above-mentioned categories, points are awarded for each, which are added up to a corresponding care level. Each assessment considers the intensity and frequency of necessary support in every aspect of daily life. A higher score means the person requires a broader range of care services and more support.
After the assessment, the care insurance fund makes a decision based on the report and informs the applicant in writing about the assigned care level. It is possible to reject or contest the assigned category.
Care Levels 1 to 5
The care levels are awarded according to the need for support and care, from occasional assistance (Care Level 1) to intensive, around-the-clock necessary care (Care Level 5).
Care Level 1
Care Level 1 is assigned to people who are mostly independent and only need occasional support. This level is rarely awarded and often affects people with slight cognitive or physical impairments, such as early-stage dementia or age-related limitations.
Care Level 2
Care Level 2 is awarded to people who need support in important activities of daily life. Their mobility is restricted, but constant care is not required. Usually, 90 minutes of support per day for meal preparation and maintaining basic hygiene suffices.
Care Level 3
Care Level 3 indicates the need for help at least three times a day – for example, dressing, moving, and hygiene. This group often includes people who use incontinence products.
Care Level 4
Care Level 4 is primarily intended for bedridden individuals whose independence is highly restricted. They are assigned the care level when they practically require around-the-clock care – both during the day and at night. This results from mobility problems and the need to assist with basic activities.
Care Level 5
Care Level 5 is assigned to people who need intensive, around-the-clock necessary care and have severe impairments making normal functioning almost impossible. In such cases, specialized medical help is required, as specific care measures must be carried out.
Each care level enables access to various support services and financial aids aimed at improving the quality of life of the person in need of care and easing everyday life. It is important to emphasize that everyone has the right to individual and dignified care, regardless of the assigned care level.
Maciej Szewczyk
He gained experience as a consultant on IT projects for many international companies. In 2017, he founded the startup taxando GmbH, where he developed the innovative tax app Taxando, which simplifies the filing of annual tax returns.
Maciej Szewczyk combines technological expertise with in-depth knowledge of tax regulations, making him an expert in his field. In his private life, he is a happy husband and father and lives with his family in Berlin.
