24-hour care in Lower Austria: costs, funding and everything you need to know

Melanie is faced with a difficult decision: Her father Leopold needs round-the-clock support. But where do you start? Finding the right caregiver,clarify financial issues and a loving 24-hour care in Lower Austria - all of this can be overwhelming. In this article, you'll find out how Melanie goes about it and what solutions there are for you and your family.

The decision to organize 24-hour care for a loved one is never easy. You may be facing this challenge right now - with worries, unanswered questions and a desire to do the best for your loved one. 

This is exactly how Melanie feels. Her father Leopold is 79 years old and is becoming increasingly frail. She is worried about how she can best support him. Her thoughts revolve around questions such as: Which caregiver really fits? What costs will I face? And how do I make sure that he is not only looked after, but cared for with respect and heart?

We will guide you step by step: in this article you will not only learn what 24-hour care means, but also how to find the right support in Lower-Austria find one that fits your loved one's needs. 

We explain the financial aspects, show you what support you are entitled to and answer the most important questions about quality, the legal framework and grants.

You may be feeling overwhelmed, insecure or even a little helpless right now - that's completely normal. But you are not alone. We can help you make an informed decision that will not only alleviate your worries, but also give your loved one a dignified life with the best possible Support enables. 

Because 24-hour care is more than just a service - it means security, trust and the good feeling that someone is there when it matters.

Read on to find out how Melanie copes with the situation - and how you too can find the best way forward for you and your family.

What is 24-hour nursing or care?

Melanie stands in her father's kitchen and watches as he struggles to bring his coffee cup to his mouth. His hands are shaking and the coffee is almost spilling over the edge. Leopold used to make breakfast for the whole family - now even spreading butter is difficult for him. 

Melanie senses that he can no longer cope on his own. But what can she do? A care home is out of the question for her. She wants her father to be cared for at home - safely, well looked after and with someone by his side who understands him.

Definition of 24-hour care

The 24-hour care service enables people in need of care like Leopold to stay in their own home and still receive round-the-clock support. A caregiver moves in with them, helps with daily care, cooks, does the housework and accompanies them to doctor's appointments. But they are more than just a helping hand - they often become a trusted caregiver who listens, keeps them company and provides a sense of security.

When is 24-hour care necessary?

Melanie realizes that her father should no longer be alone. He forgets to eat more and more often, occasionally falls, and the simplest tasks are difficult for him. But how do you recognize the right time for 24-hour care?

• When being alone becomes a danger -frequent falls, forgetfulness or disorientation

• When everyday tasks no longer succeed - Dressing, personal hygiene or shopping becomes a challenge      

• When a disease progresses -for example at Dementia or Parkinson's

• When relatives reach their limits - be it due to job, distance or own stress    

For Melanie, one thing is certain: her father needs support - but in a way that doesn't "uproot" him. 24-hour care could be just the solution she is looking for.

What tasks does a 24-hour nurse do?

Leopold has good and bad days - on some days he still moves independently, on others he finds it difficult even to get up. The caregiver adapts to this. She helps him with washing, dressing and eating, cooks his favorite meals and reminds him to take his medication. Household chores are not left undone either: shopping, cleaning, laundry - it's all part of the job.

But above all, the carer brings something that is priceless: companionship. She listens to Leopold, takes him for walks and makes sure he doesn't feel lonely. This is a huge relief for Melanie - she knows that her father is well looked after and can lead a dignified life in his home despite his age.

Costs and financing options for 24-hour care in Lower Austria

Melanie is sitting at her kitchen table, a notebook full of figures, bills and applications in front of her. Her father Leopold needs support - she has known that for a long time. But now a new question comes to the fore: Can she even afford 24-hour care? 

The idea of knowing that her father is well looked after gives her a reassuring feeling. But the uncertainty about the costs and possible subsidies won't let her go.

How much does 24-hour care cost in Lower Austria?

The prices for 24-hour care vary, depending on the qualifications of the caregiver, their area of responsibility and the individual needs of the person in need of care. On average, Melanie can expect to pay between 1,800 and 2,500 euros per month. Depending on whether she opts for an agency or a private carer, placement fees may be added.

Financial support for 24-hour care in Lower Austria 

Melanie has done a lot of research in the meantime - and the jungle of figures and funding opportunities is slowly clearing. She learns that there are various subsidies and grants for 24-hour care in Austria. 

Care allowance: Monthly support depending on care needs 

Care allowance is one of the most important financial aids in Austria. It is paid regardless of income and is based solely on the amount of care required. 

The following is an overview of the current Care allowance levels in Austria (as of 2025):

The purpose of the care allowance is to provide financial support to people in need of care in order to ensure that they receive the care they require. The following amounts will apply from January 1, 2025:

On the Ministry of Social Affairs website you can find more information about the care allowance, the requirements and the care allowance application.

Melanie realizes that although the care allowance is an important support, it is still not enough to fully finance 24-hour care. She finds out more about additional grants. 

Promotion of 24-hour care in Lower Austria

The Promoting 24-hour care is aimed at people with care needs from care level 3. If dementia is present, support is possible from care level 1. The amount of support depends on whether the caregiver is self-employed or employed:

• Self-employed caregivers: €400 per month and caregiver, €800 for two caregivers.
• Employed caregivers: 800 € per month and caregiver, with two caregivers 1.600 €.

An important point: the monthly net income of the person in need of care must not exceed €2.500, whereby a higher limit applies for dependent family members. In addition, the caregiver must be officially registered - either with a trade license or as an employee.

Tax relief and other financial assistance 

In addition to nursing allowance and support Melanie can also benefit from tax deductions: 

• Drop exceptional loads: The costs of 24-hour care can be claimed for tax purposes if the income does not exceed certain limits.
• Nursing Aids Grants: In some cases, there is financial support for aids such as care beds or wheelchairs.
• Pflegefonds & regionale Beihilfen: Some federal states and municipalities also offer their own subsidies for people in need of care.

Melanie is relieved. Even though 24-hour care is a financial challenge, there are numerous ways to get support. Now she knows that she doesn't have to do everything alone - and that there are ways to give her father the best possible care.

Finding the right caregiver for 24-hour care in Lower Austria

Finding a nurse who is not only professionally competent, but also suits Leopold as a person is no easy task. Melanie wants someone who understands his everyday life and will accompany him with patience and respect. But where should she look? Search through ads, get recommendations or hire an agency?

noracares can help here. With just a few clicks, Melanie can find qualified caregivers in Lower Austria. She sees reviews, experiences and can search specifically for a suitable caregiver for her father.

The noracares mediation process is clearly structured and transparent:

1. Register: You simply log in to noracares and create a search profile
2. Matching suggestions: By specifying your wishes and needs and filtering the results using search criteria, only caregivers who match your specifications will be suggested to you.
3. Get to know caregivers: Choose the nurses whose profile appeals to you and exchange ideas with them via chat or video call. This way you can find out whether the chemistry between everyone involved is right.
4. Work-start: If it suits both sides and you have secured everything contractually, nothing stands in the way of working together.

With noracares, Melanie has found a loving carer for Leopold who not only supports him, but also keeps him company - someone who has become not just a carer, but a part of the family.

What qualifications should a 24-hour nurse have?

Leopold needs support in everyday life, but also medical care. A good 24-hour caregiver should therefore not only have experience in basic care, but also be able to deal with special needs - be it help with dressing, administering medication or mobility support.

Interpersonal skills are also important: A caregiver should be empathetic, reliable and patient. Melanie wants someone who not only "works" with Leopold, but also sees him as a person - listens to him, laughs with him and makes him feel valued.

Legal requirements and regulations for 24-hour care

Melanie remembers the exact moment when she was looking for a 24-hour carer for her father Leopold. In addition to worrying about providing him with the best possible care, she suddenly had to contend with paragraphs, forms and regulations. 

Who is even allowed to work as a caregiver? What laws protect her father? She wanted to be sure that everything was legal - and that Leopold would get the rights he was entitled to.

What is the legal framework in Austria?

In Austria, 24-hour care is clearly regulated. Caregivers usually work as self-employed caregivers and must be officially registered with the Chamber of Commerce. Alternatively, there are also dependent care workers who are employed through an agency.

Melanie quickly realizes: If you employ a caregiver, you have to pay attention to a few things. These include the following:

• Reporting requirements: Caregivers must be registered with social security.
• Working hours and breaks: Even if it says "24 hour care" - caregivers are entitled to rest periods and time off.
• Qualifications: While no medical training is required for basic care, special training is required for medical acts such as administering medication.

This may sound like a challenge at first, but it is usually easy to implement and easy to discuss with the caregiver. It is best to set out agreements on working hours and breaks in a contract.

Melanie looks out of the window. Outside, the evening sun colors the sky in warm tones, inside she hears the soft clatter of dishes - her worries are no longer as heavy as they were a few weeks ago. Her father Leopold is sitting at the table with his carer, drinking his coffee, and for the first time in a long time, a satisfied smile flits across his face.

The decision to opt for 24-hour care was not an easy one. There were many questions, uncertainties and sleepless nights. But now Melanie knows: she chose the right path.

Your father can stay in his home, where he feels safe and secure. He not only gets help with everyday life, but also someone who listens to him, laughs with him and fills his days with warmth.

Perhaps you are currently facing a similar decision. Maybe you feel overwhelmed, unsure or afraid of not doing the right thing. But you are not alone. There are ways, support and people who can help - so that your loved ones can be cared for with dignity and compassion.

Because in the end, it's not just care that counts. It's about quality of life, about trust and about someone being there - today, tomorrow and every new day.

noracares helps you to find the right caregiver - individual, empathetic and reliable. Register now and find the support your family deserves.