A leading German social welfare organization is advocating for increased investment in home care services. Verena Bentele, president of the VdK (Verband der Deutschen Kassenärztinnen und Kassenärzte), emphasized the desire of individuals requiring care to maintain autonomy and remain in familiar surroundings. Speaking on Deutschlandfunk, Bentele argued that creating high-quality conditions and investing significantly in this area is a worthwhile endeavor.
Currently, approximately 90 percent of individuals needing care are looked after in their homes. Bentele noted that cost-cutting measures are frequently implemented, often resulting in family members reducing or abandoning their employment and restricting heating to only a few rooms within the residence. Assistance programs for family caregivers are significantly less utilized compared to those available for individuals in care facilities.
Highlighting the significant burden placed on families, Bentele stated that providing care at home can pose considerable health and psychological risks for caregivers. To address this, she proposed the introduction of a “care wage” which she believes would be a crucial step in preventing poverty among households providing care. The suggestion aims to recognize and financially support the often-extensive efforts of those providing essential domestic care.