A care situation arises suddenly
What if,
-
What if …
- … a close relative experiences increasing age‑related limitations and becomes dependent on your support?
- … you are unprepared for a care situation?
- … you have a child who depends on your support in everyday life?
Relatives face particular challenges in such situations. If the care situation allows, try to have an open and honest conversation with the person concerned and work together to find a solution that respects everyone’s wishes and expectations. A wide range of support services is available.
First steps in dealing with the new care situation
Submit an application to have the need for long‑term care assessed. To do this, contact the long‑term care insurance fund of the person concerned. It is affiliated with their statutory or private health insurance provider. The long‑term care insurance fund will send you the application form.
Once the completed application has been received, the care insurance fund will commission an assessment to determine the level of care required.
- For statutory insurance: the Medical Service conducts the assessment.
- For private insurance: the assessment is carried out by Medicproof.
If you already use or require care aids, discuss this with the assessor. The assessor will also look at the living situation. If modifications are necessary, describe them as precisely as possible. During the assessment, it is essential to answer all questions realistically and honestly.
After the visit, a care report will be prepared. You will receive it promptly from the care insurance fund.
Further detailed information is available here:
Preparing for the appointment & assessment
Good preparation is important for caregivers. Talk to the person you are caring for about the upcoming visit. You will need all relevant medical documents, such as:
- doctor’s letters
- medical reports
- medication list
- hospital discharge reports
- care diary (provides insight into everyday limitations)
- notes on how much support you already provide in daily life
If you already use or require care aids, discuss this with the assessor. The assessor will also look at the living situation. If modifications are necessary, describe them as precisely as possible. During the assessment, it is essential to answer all questions realistically and honestly.
After the visit, a care report will be prepared. You will receive it promptly from the care insurance fund.
Further detailed information is available here: Care guide NRW.
First steps out of hospital
If a relative is in hospital and it is clear that a care degree will be needed, the application can be handled by the hospital’s social services department.
Social services will support you with all questions, complete the application for a care degree together with you, attach all relevant medical reports, and send the application directly to the care insurance fund.
If necessary, social services can also apply for suitable aids immediately.
Important to know
When a person in need of care is discharged from hospital, care must be ensured. Hospitals have a discharge management system for this purpose. Speak to the hospital’s social services department, as discharge management is responsible for arranging short‑term care or home care services.
More detailed information is available here: Federal Ministry of Health.
Contact us
If you have further questions about “First steps – What to do if a sudden care situation arises”, please contact your Care Pilot at TU Dortmund University.