Short-Term Nursing in Germany at a Glance

Many people do not even know that it exists: short-term nursing. In Germany it particularly supports caring relatives when they need a break from every day care. Those who want to apply for short-term nursing should pay attention to a lot of regulations. REHACARE.de compiled the most important aspects.

15.04.2008

What is short-term nursing?
In short-term nursing (STN) people in need of care can be placed in a care home fulltime and up to 28 days a year. It is to help especially in emergencies when they cannot be cared for at home when, for example, the caring relatives are overburdened, exhausted or ill, or when they want to go on holidays or take a cure.

Who is allowed to use STN?
STN can be used when a person – no matter if child or adult – is officially called to be in need of care by the nursing care insurance.

Duration
The duration is confined to 28 days a year. You can use it in full or split the days up.

Application
To inform about and to submit an application for STN Germans turn to their nursing care insurance.

Finding an institution
Germans have to book an accommodation facility. Especially for holiday seasons an early booking is essential. To find an institution they can ask their nursing care insurance or look it up in the yellow pages. In order to get an idea about the institution’s quality they should visit it.

Costs
The nursing care insurance covers the costs for 28 days a year up to 1,432 Euros. This includes care, social and medical support provided by the institution. Additional costs include food, shelter and investment payments – this is not covered by the insurance. Investment payments exist in order to support the nursing home’s maintenance. The remaining costs are different for each institution and should be inquired a priori.

Support from the social assistance office
Those who cannot afford these additional costs can ask the social assistance office for support. It bears remaining costs when income and savings are not sufficient.

Natascha Mörs

REHACARE.de

- Information on the German Ministry of Health at: www.bmg.bund.de