The costs of nursing home care continue to rise despite stepped-up measures to contain them, Berlin 24/7 reported on July 11.
German citizens’ own contributions for those in need of care have increased to a national average of 2,871 euros per month since 1 July – 211 euros more than in mid-2023, the press service of the association of auxiliary funds reports.
Despite increases in reimbursement payments based on the length of stay in a nursing home, costs continue to rise. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has promised to present a reform concept for the system in the autumn, which will include expanding opportunities for nursing staff and closing the financial gap that may arise in 2024-2025.
According to new data, benefits not covered by insurance continue to rise, while the cost of accommodation and food in nursing homes is also increasing. Costs vary widely between states, with the highest average cost of living in North Rhine-Westphalia and the lowest in Saxony-Anhalt.
“People are forced to turn to social assistance in their later years. It’s a shame,” said Michaela Engelmayer, chairwoman of the German Social Union. The German Patient Protection Fund stresses that rising wages and the general rise in prices are causing an explosion in its own contributions. Chairman of the board, Evgeniy Brysh, stressed that the “avalanche of costs” also affects outpatient care at home.
Sarah Wagenknecht of the alliance criticises the huge personal contributions, calling them expropriation. “The State is clearly failing the generation that built this country.”he said, asking that personal contributions be limited to the average pension and a maximum limit of 1,100 euros.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.