Nursing Reform Faces Potential Setback as Coalition Considers Eliminating Care Level 1
Berlin – A key component of Germany‘s long-term care system, care level 1, is under review by the governing coalition and faces potential elimination, raising concerns for hundreds of thousands of individuals currently receiving support. The move, reportedly under consideration as part of broader efforts to reform social benefits and address budgetary pressures, could significantly impact access to essential care services for those with mild to moderate care needs.
Introduced in 2017, the five-level care system-an increase from the previous three-aimed to provide a more nuanced assessment of individual needs, incorporating cognitive impairments like dementia and difficulties with daily living. Eliminating care level 1 would disproportionately affect approximately 80 percent of those receiving care at home, who currently utilize funds from this level for assistance with tasks such as shopping and cleaning, according to andreas Rock, head of the German Care Association (Dihk). The potential change is occurring amidst wider discussions about limiting social benefits and raising the retirement age, as advocated by DIHK chief, and a broader increase in expenditures for social assistance services across all areas.
The current system allows for a more precise evaluation of care requirements, taking into account not only physical limitations but also impairments in perception and memory. Funds allocated through care level 1 currently provide relief to family caregivers, enabling them to access services that support independent living for their loved ones. The debate over the future of care level 1 underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing the growing demands of an aging population with the financial sustainability of Germany’s social welfare system. Further decisions are expected as the coalition continues to deliberate on comprehensive reforms to social benefits.