For a long time, many people in need of care and their relatives have had to deal with the fact that care in homes is becoming more and more expensive. To what extent can the costs in Saxony now be reduced by state subsidies?
Dresden (dpa/sn) - In Saxon homes, the costs of care in homes for those in need of care have continued to rise and are only partially cushioned by new grants. In the first year in the home, those affected and their relatives had to pay 1,927 euros per month in Saxony on July 1st out of their own pockets - that's 99 euros more than on January 1st, according to an evaluation by the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds. The grants, which were introduced at the beginning of the year, increase with longer stays in the home. Cost increases are then dampened to a greater extent.
Without subsidies, people in Saxony would have to pay 1,972 euros on July 1st, around 100 euros more than on January 1st. On the one hand, the sums include the personal contribution for pure care and support. Unlike health insurance, long-term care insurance only bears part of the costs.
On the other hand, for residents of the home, there are also costs for accommodation, meals and also for investments in the facilities. The personal contribution alone for pure care rose in Saxony - still without subsidies - from 827 euros in January to 910 euros on July 1st.
At the beginning of the year, however, new regulations of a care reform also came into force. In addition to the payments from the nursing care insurance fund, residents of the nursing home now receive a relief supplement that increases with the length of care. The personal contribution for pure care should fall by 5 percent in the first year in the home, by 25 percent in the second, by 45 percent in the third, and by 70 percent from the fourth year.
Dresden's social mayor Kristin Klaudia Kaufmann (left) reminded those affected that they could support the social welfare office if their own share of the care costs was too high. "If the income and assets of a caregiver, together with the payments from the care insurance fund, are not sufficient, residents of the home can apply for support from the social welfare agency," said Kaufmann on Wednesday. This is possible, for example, by applying for care assistance, but also by housing benefit and basic security in old age.
Reasons for the cost increases are increased wages and higher living and energy costs, as explained by the association. Because the subsidy does not relate to accommodation, food and investments. On average nationwide, 2200 euros per month were due out of pocket in the first year in the home on July 1st - 67 euros more than on January 1st.
