Rise in home care payments reoccurred - Rise in Home Care Payments Once More Reported
### Rising Costs for Nursing Home Residents in Hessen: A Comparative Analysis
In Hessen, residents of nursing homes are facing an increase in out-of-pocket payments, with the average monthly cost climbing to 3,026 Euros as of July 1, according to recent reports. This represents an increase of 172 Euros per month compared to the same period last year.
The Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds (vdek), including members like Techniker Krankenkasse, Barmer, and DAK-Gesundheit, conducted an analysis that revealed the variation in out-of-pocket costs across Germany. In comparison, the lowest out-of-pocket costs for nursing home care are in Saxony-Anhalt (2,595 Euros) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (2,752 Euros).
Eugen Brysch, chairman of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, expressed concern over the rising costs, particularly for the 55,000 nursing home residents in Hessen. The increase in costs is attributed to factors such as higher wages for staff, increased operational costs, reduced coverage ratios by long-term care insurance, and inflation.
Out-of-pocket costs differ significantly between federal states due to regional cost of living differences, variance in local government subsidies or supplementary funding, and supply and demand for nursing home places. Hessen typically ranks in the middle to upper-middle range when compared to other states.
In recent years, the out-of-pocket costs in the first 12 months after admission to a nursing home have increased by 43%. Co-payments for pure nursing care are reduced by 15% in the first year, 30% in the second, 50% in the third, and 75% from the fourth year onwards, depending on the duration of stay. Residents will still need to pay for accommodation, catering, and above-average comfort in the future.
The state government is being called upon to fully cover the training and investment costs to reduce monthly stationary nursing care costs in the state by around 650 Euros. No new information about the state government's response to this call was provided in this paragraph.
Across Germany, the average out-of-pocket cost for nursing home care is 3,108 Euros, with some states, such as Bremen and North Rhine-Westphalia, recording higher costs. It is essential to address these rising costs to ensure that nursing home residents are not unduly burdened financially. Future discussions and policy decisions will play a crucial role in managing these costs and ensuring fairness and affordability for all.
- To help nursing home residents cope with rising costs, there could be a focus on community policy that provides financial assistance, such as personal-finance and business strategies, as well as Medicaid or Medicare support.
- In addition to financial support, it's crucial to invest in vocational training for caregivers and healthcare professionals to improve the quality of care and reduce operational costs.
- As part of the health-and-wellness approach, implementing fitness-and-exercise programs and therapies-and-treatments for residents could also help maintain their physical and mental wellbeing, reducing long-term care costs.
- A dietitian or nutritionist could be part of the staff to ensure residents receive a balanced and nutritious meal plan, potentially improving their health and reducing healthcare expenses.
- To create a sustainable solution, state governments should collaborate with businesses and the private sector to fund vocational training, invest in infrastructure, and provide subsidies, promoting a comprehensive and affordable solution for nursing home care throughout Germany.
