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Increase in nursing care cases: urgent need for action by 2025
Shocking increase in nursing cases in Germany: Experts warn of a possible new trend and are urging political measures. Details here!
Increase in nursing care cases: urgent need for action by 2025
The umbrella association of statutory health insurance companies (GKV) recorded a significant increase in care cases last year. While in previous years the number of people in need of care rose by around 326,000 cases per year, in 2023 an increase of 361,000 cases was suddenly noted, which corresponds to an increase of eleven percent. The exact cause of this increase is not yet fully understood. A possible explanation could be that due to the pandemic, many older people only had the courage to allow the medical service examiners into their homes late.
There is speculation that this could be a one-time catch-up effect. However, if this increase turns out to be a new trend, the care situation could become significantly more critical in the future. GKV Vice Chairman Gernot Kiefer emphasizes that the increase in this dynamic will not continue indefinitely. The curve is expected to flatten starting in the second half of the 2030s as the baby boomer generation reaches its peak care needs.
According to Kiefer, political action is necessary to secure the financing of care in the long term. A possible alternative to continuously increasing contributions would be for the state itself to cover some services that are currently covered by long-term care insurance. A recently published study indicates that a further adjustment of care contributions is likely in order to ensure the financial viability of care insurance in view of the increasing number of people in need of care in Germany.
Last year a reform was passed to stabilize long-term care insurance. Although finances should be secured until 2025, an adjustment to the contribution rates could be necessary as early as next year. With the reform, the contribution for those without children rose to 4 percent, while contributors with one child pay 3.4 percent and employers pay 1.7 percent. The contribution decreases as the number of children of a contributor increases.