The cost of a place in a nursing home has risen despite the performance subsidy that was approved in January.
(Photo: picture alliance / photothek)
Berlin The nursing employers’ association (AGVP) warns of a “cost tsunami” that will affect those in need of care, their relatives and the municipalities if the government does not take countermeasures. The high energy and food costs are primarily responsible for the increase in costs. In the future, between 600 and 1,000 euros will also be incurred monthly for inpatient care in the home.
Association President Thomas Greiner says: “It burdens families like a second rent.” That is why Greiner is now demanding an inflation subsidy of 25 percent for companies to cover the increased material costs such as accommodation and meals.
“An immediate inflation subsidy relieves not only the companies, but also those in need of care,” says Greiner. The employers in geriatric care had been pragmatic in collective bargaining. Now the federal government must show the same pragmatism “when it comes to financing politically caused costs”. If nothing is done, the costs will remain with those in need of care, their relatives and the municipalities.
He has the impression that Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is not tackling the issue quickly enough and demands: “Corona Karl must finally become a care Karl.”
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When asked about the AGVP’s allegations, Lauterbach said: “We are working on laws to finance care.” There are currently three drafts with which he himself is not yet satisfied. However, Lauterbach emphasizes that the prevention of a new corona wave in autumn should not be played off against the long-term financing of care.
Despite care supplement: costs for home care place increased by 67 euros
Already today, 30 percent of those in need of care in Germany receive assistance to cover the costs of care. AGVP Managing Director Isabell Halletz even expects an increase to 60 percent in the coming years. The pressure on municipalities and relatives continues to increase.
Since January, there has been a staggered performance surcharge based on the length of stay in the home, which is covered by the nursing care insurance funds. However, it only brings noticeable relief during longer stays at home. Nationwide, people in need of care have to pay a personal contribution of around 2,200 euros per month in the first year of care. This means that the costs for a home care place have risen by 67 euros compared to January, despite the surcharge. This is shown by a current study by the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds (VdeK).
Verena Bentele, President of the VdK social association, supports the AGVP’s warning of a massive increase in costs: “The move to a nursing home makes you poor these days, very few people in need of care can still afford their own contributions.”
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The situation in elderly care has been tense for years. The coffers are empty. According to figures from the Central Association of Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) from June, a total of 7.3 billion euros in tax money would be needed to keep contributions stable until the end of 2024. Otherwise, the contributions to long-term care insurance would have to be increased by 0.35 percent. The contribution rate for statutory long-term care insurance is currently 3.05 percent of gross income, and 3.4 percent for childless people.
In addition to inflation, the AGVP also names the continuing “serious shortage of staff” as a cost driver. Although there was the “concerted action care”, apart from the significant wage increase, which is to take place in September, nothing happened. Therefore, a care summit of all parties involved is now needed to bring practical solutions to the table.
According to Greiner, in addition to digitization, a new organization of work in the nursing homes would relieve the tense personnel situation and reduce costs. He advocates opening nursing homes to other professions so that professionals can focus on medical care. “We cannot allow qualified nurses to do classic civilian jobs,” says Greiner.
Number of people in need of care increased by 76 percent
The development of training and employment figures is positive. But the number of people in need of care is increasing faster than the number of nursing staff.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of people employed in geriatric care rose from 890,000 in 2009 to 1.2 million in 2019. This corresponds to an increase of almost 35 percent. In the same period, however, the number of people in need of care rose from 2.34 to 4.13 million – i.e. 76 percent.
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