Study Reveals Nursing Home as Final Resort for Elderly Care - Residential Care Facility's Final Alternative
A recent survey, conducted by Forsa and covering Frankfurt Main, Rhine, and Saarbrücken in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland, has shed light on the preferences for care options among residents and the current state of social care services in these regions.
The survey results, while not explicitly detailing the preferences for care options among residents in the aforementioned states, do provide insights from Berlin and overall Germany, offering a general understanding of care preferences and the state of social care services.
In Berlin, where trends may reflect those in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland, 87 percent of people in need of care are cared for at home, primarily by relatives, with some support from outpatient services. This indicates a strong preference or reliance on home-based care rather than institutionalized care.
The emphasis is on supporting family caregivers and enabling people to live safely and independently at home for as long as possible through preventative measures and advisory services. This implies that residents likely prefer care options that allow for remaining in their own homes with family support rather than moving into care facilities.
However, Germany is facing enormous challenges in social care, primarily due to a massive increase in the number of people in need of care. Since 2013 in Berlin, this number has almost doubled, reflecting a nationwide trend driven by demographic changes. Key issues include a lack of specialist staff and rising care costs, which affect the quality and accessibility of care services.
The German healthcare system provides universal coverage through a government-run "sickness fund," ensuring access to healthcare services for all citizens. However, it's important to note that this system supports medical care, which is a component of social care but distinct from long-term care services.
Measures such as the "State Care Plan 2025" focus on strengthening home-based care, supporting family caregivers, and preventing care dependency through early interventions. The social care service landscape also includes advisory and support centers that help people make their homes safer and provide information on care options.
Interestingly, the survey revealed that an equal number of people in these regions reported caring for a dependent person at home, and only 36 percent of people would consider a nursing home as an option for care. Around 5.5 million people in Germany currently receive social care services, but the survey did not provide specific data for Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland regarding the number of people currently receiving these services.
Just 22 percent of respondents in these regions had no contact with the topic of social care services in the past five years, and at least 200 participants were interviewed in each of the regions Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. The survey did not provide new information about the preferences for multi-generational housing projects, living with relatives at home, or shared living communities with other seniors.
In conclusion, while specific data for Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland are unavailable, it is reasonable to infer that residents share a preference for home-based care supported by family and outpatient services, consistent with overall German trends. The social care sector in these regions is currently under pressure due to rising demand, staffing shortages, and costs, prompting strategic plans focused on home care and family caregiver support to maintain quality and accessibility.
- The survey, although it doesn't specify the preferences for care options in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland, highlights an inclination towards home-based care with family support in Berlin, which could mirror trends in these states.
- The majority of people in Berlin receiving care are looked after at home, primarily by family members, suggesting a strong preference for home care over institutionalized options.
- The survey indicated that an equal number of people in the regions under consideration provide care for a dependent person at home, while only 36 percent would consider a nursing home as an option.
- When it comes to social care services, the survey did not provide specific data for Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland, but it did show that only 22 percent of respondents had no contact with such services in the past five years.
- In the realm of care services, the survey reveals a general emphasis on home-based care, supporting family caregivers, and preventative measures to delay care dependency.
- As part of the strategic plan for care services, therapeutic options such as vocational training, workplace-wellness, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental health support, skin care, and nutrition are being considered, underscoring the comprehensive approach to care services in Germany.
