Germany’s long-term care system is teetering on the brink of collapse, according to a recent survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit, one of the country’s largest statutory health insurers. The Allensbach Institute’s poll reveals a deeply unsettling level of public disillusionment with the current state of care, raising serious questions about its sustainability and fairness. Two-thirds of respondents rate the quality of care as “bad” or “very bad” and nearly half anticipate a further deterioration within the next decade.
The core of the crisis lies in the system’s crippling financial strain. A staggering 70% identify the prohibitive costs borne by those requiring care and their families as the primary concern, particularly impacting those undergoing institutionalized care. This sentiment is compounded by a severe and pervasive shortage of care workers, cited by 68% of respondents as a critical challenge. The lack of a sustainable financing model looms large for 64%, breeding anxieties about the ability to access adequate care within their communities.
Public demands for systemic reform are stark. A resounding 87% believe affordability should be the paramount objective, while 79% are calling for a long-term financial guarantee. There’s widespread support for capping residential care facility costs (73%) and simplifying the complex web of benefits and eligibility criteria (71%).
The survey highlights a growing sense of injustice. An overwhelming 83% feel betrayed by the system, perceiving a lack of adequate protection despite years of contributions to the care insurance fund. Equally concerning, 83% believe that care has simply become unaffordable for many and almost three-quarters fear becoming financially overwhelmed if they require care themselves. The perception linking care needs with poverty risk for both individuals and their families is disturbingly prevalent.
“We are at a tipping point in care” declared Andreas Storm, CEO of DAK-Gesundheit, emphasizing the erosion of public trust. The prevalent view is that the current system is “bad, unfair and overwhelmed.
Recognizing the need for substantial intervention, a majority of citizens believe the onus for securing the system’s future rests on the government. A significant 56% advocate for increased state subsidies and tax revenues to provide a safety net for those in need. Furthermore, 47% support raising contributions from wealthier or higher-earning individuals, while almost as many believe affluent citizens should bear a greater share of the financial burden during times of need.
However, the public strongly opposes the equitable distribution of assets to cover residential care costs. Only 27% believe utilizing personal assets to finance institutionalized care is justifiable, with nearly two-thirds opposing the forced sale of a family home in such circumstances. Similarly, a proposal put forward by a joint federal-state working group to introduce mandatory supplemental care insurance has met with limited support, finding endorsement from only 21% of respondents.
The findings underscore a profound crisis of confidence and a looming threat to the social fabric of Germany, demanding urgent and decisive action from policymakers.