Care level 5 in Germany
Care level 5 poses major challenges for relatives - but there is valuable support available. Find out what help is available to you and how to ensure the best possible care for your loved ones.
Merlinde sits in her wheelchair and looks out of the window. Her garden, which she used to love more than anything, now seems far away. She used to enjoy planting flowers, tending the beds and sitting on the bench for hours to watch the birds. But today she can't even get out of bed on her own anymore.
Her daughter Lisa is doing her best to support her mother, but the whole thing is draining her strength. Every little gesture, every decision, every bit of support she can find feels like a drop in the ocean - is it enough? How can she make sure her mother receives the best possible care? Care level 5 doesn't just pose challenges for Merlinde and her daughter - it's a huge burden for any family/many families. But there is support that can make caring much easier. Valuable help that not only provides practical relief, but also emotional support. We not only want to give you the facts, but also show you that you are not alone with your questions and worries. Because when a loved one needs care, it can be overwhelming, but with the right support, it becomes a little easier. Let's find out together what options can help you find the best possible care - for your loved one and for yourself. Read on to learn more and let us answer your questions. Merlinde can no longer stand up without help, her daily tasks are becoming increasingly difficult and the challenges are piling up. When Lisa informs her mother that Merlinde has now been given care level 5, she feels a mixture of relief and worry. It's a step in the right direction for Merlinde and Lisa herself? Care level 5 is the highest classification in the German care insurance system. It is awarded to people who require a very high level of care due to severe health restrictions. This care level applies to people who usually need support around the clock, be it with personal hygiene, mobility or nutrition. It's not just about physical well-being, but also about mental and emotional support. Care level 5 is a kind of confirmation or recognition of the enormous burden placed on caregivers. recognition of the enormous burden that people in need of care and their relatives experience every day. Care level 5 is awarded to people who need support in almost all areas of life. Merlinde, who sits in her wheelchair every day and is dependent on help, belongs to this group. Her cognitive abilities are just as impaired as her physical mobility. She needs help with almost everything: personal hygiene, getting dressed and undressed, eating and even communicating when words no longer flow properly. The main characteristics for classification in care level 5 are:
Who receives care level 5?
Prerequisites for care level 5
The care level is determined according to a points system. An assessor from the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK) or the Medicproof GmbH (for privately insured persons) the need for care on the basis of various criteria. These criteria include not only physical limitations, but also cognitive and psychological impairments and provide a precise overview of the actual level of care required:
All of these criteria are included in the score that determines the level of care. The more severe the restrictions are, the more points are awarded - and the more support the person in need of care receives. The criteria are weighted as follows:
It flows either the section "Cognitive Abilities" or"Behavioral and mental health issues" is included in the assessment - depending on which is rated higher.
If a person achieves a total of at least 90 points in this way, they are awarded care level 5. For Lisa, her mother's classification in care level 5 not only means official recognition of her burden, but also access to important assistance that can support her on her journey.
When Merlinde and her daughter Lisa were classified as care level 5, a lot changed for them. It was a moment of relief, as they now knew that they could access a wide range of support services to help them cope better with everyday life and provide Merlinde with the best possible care.
However, the decision also brought with it many new questions, as the challenge of care remained. In addition to the financial support, however, there were numerous other services that were intended to support the couple in their everyday lives and make caring for Merlinde much easier.
In the following overview you can see which Leistungen Pflegegrad 5 includes:
Care allowance - A financial support
The monthly care allowance of 990 euros gave Lisa important financial relief. It enabled her to cover additional care aids or necessary everyday expenses. The care allowance is paid directly to Merlinde and can be used flexibly - whether for a carer or for other necessary care-related expenses. Lisa was thus able to ensure that Merlinde was well cared for without feeling financially overburdened.
Care services - Professional Nursing Assistant
The 2.299 euros for care benefits in kind were used by Lisa to organize professional care from an outpatient care service. This support was essential for Merlinde to cope with her everyday life. Care staff helped her with personal hygiene, dressing and many other tasks that she was no longer able to do independently due to her severe impairments. For Lisa, it was a great relief to know that her mother was being well looked after professionally while she herself could take time off if needed.
Preventive care and short-term care - relief in difficult moments
When Lisa needed a break or was unable to provide care for a short time, respite care and short-term care provided valuable support. Each year, up to €1,685 is available for respite care and up to €1,854 for short-term care. These benefits enabled Lisa to recover while Merlinde was still well looked after.
More reliefs
The monthly relief amount of 131 euros helped Lisa to buy additional care aids such as special mobility aids or care products. Day and night care was also supported with 2,085 euros per month if more intensive care was required.
Technical care aids, such as a home emergency call, provided more security in everyday life and helped Lisa to worry less about emergencies. In addition, Merlinde's living space was adapted to her needs with up to €4,180 in funding so that she could continue to live in her familiar surroundings.
With all these services, Lisa was able to organize the best possible care for Merlinde and ensure that her mother led a dignified life despite her high level of care needs. But even though the financial and practical support measures were a great help, it was above all the love and closeness between the two of them that made Merlinde's everyday life more worth living.
In order to receive the support that Merlinde desperately needed, Lisa first had to deal with the application for care level 5. It was a bureaucratic process that seemed complicated and overwhelming at first - but she knew it was the key to the benefits Merlinde was entitled to.
So that you know what to expect, we have a guide and valuable tips for you on what you should look out for when applying for care level 5.
Step 1: The application
Lisa knew that she had no time to lose. To get Merlinde the support she urgently needed, she applied for care level 5 from the Care insurance. A simple step - but with great significance. Because it was only once she was officially classified that she was able to access care allowance, care benefits in kind and other assistance.
The date of application was important here, as the benefits were paid retroactively from this date. In order not to delay the process unnecessarily, Lisa collected all the necessary documents in advance:
- Insurance number and personal data of Merlinde
- Medical records (diagnoses, medical reports, hospital discharge reports)
- Care documentation (if available, e.g. protocols on required support). e.g. protocols on required support in everyday life)
- A description of the care needs from Lisa's point of view to describe the daily challenges
As Merlinde's condition deteriorated rapidly, Lisa decided to make an urgent request. As a result, the assessment was scheduled within a few days in order to receive the urgently needed support as quickly as possible.
As soon as the application was sent, Lisa felt an initial sense of relief. She knew that the ball was now rolling - and she was no longer alone in this challenging situation.
Step 2: The review
After the appointment was made, an assessor visited Merlinde at home. She checked exactly how mobile she still was, whether she was able to look after herself and to what extent she needed support. Lisa described the challenges of everyday life - from getting up in the morning to managing simple tasks.
During the assessment, she realized how important it was to be open about all these difficulties. Because not only the physical, but also the cognitive and psychological limitations were included in the assessment.
Step 3: The notification
A few weeks later, Lisa held the decision in her hands: Care level 5 had been approved. A moment of relief - now the urgently needed support was secured. With care allowance, care benefits in kind and other assistance, she could finally offer Merlinde the best possible care.
Tips for applying for care level 5 - How to prepare yourself optimally
Good preparation makes the process easier and increases your chances of a fair assessment. To make sure you are well prepared, we have put together the most important tips for you here:
- Capture care needs accurately: Take some time to write down which tasks Merlinde needs help with every day. Is it getting up, getting dressed or personal hygiene? Every little thing counts.
- Documenting everyday life:Keep a care diary and record how often and to what extent help is needed. It is particularly important to highlight which activities are particularly strenuous or even impossible for Merlinde.
- Fill out application completely: Make sure that all relevant information is included. If important details are missing, the need for care may be underestimated.
- Get support: Lisa sought advice from a care service to help her complete the application in the best possible way. You can also get help from experts - be it from a care advice service or directly from the health insurance company.
- Make the request early: The sooner the application is submitted, the sooner Merlinde can receive the support she needs. In addition, approved benefits are paid retroactively from the date of application.
With this careful preparation, Lisa approached the application for care level 5 with confidence - and you too can pave the best possible way for your relatives.
Filing an appeal - What to do if the application is rejected?
Lisa knew that many applications are initially rejected. If Merlinde hadn't received care level 5, she would have fought back. Because she knows that anyone who is dependent on such intensive care also has the right to the appropriate support. So if you are faced with a rejection, don't hang your head, because you have some rights:
- Request the expert opinion and check why it was rejected.
- Gather more medical evidence, that show how much care is really needed.
- Lege within four weeks, submit a written objection to the long-term care insurance fund.
Nora'sTip: Keep a care diary! Make a note of what support is needed each day. This way, you can prove exactly why the care level is justified.
After Merlinde was approved for care level 5, Lisa knew that she urgently needed a reliable carer at her side. Following a recommendation from a friend, Lisa noracares - a platform that made her search for a suitable nurse much easier.
Lisa registered and quickly found an empathetic, competent carer who looked after Merlinde with great empathy.
Why Noracares?
- Individual Matching System: noracares uses an intelligent matching system that not only takes into account the qualifications of the caregivers, but also the individual needs of Lisa and Merlinde. As a result, a nurse was found who was not only professionally suitable, but also a perfect human match.
- Customized care solutions: Unlike agencies, which often offer standardized solutions, noracares ensures that the support is tailored precisely to Merlinde's requirements - without compromise.
- Direct and uncomplicated contact: With noracares, there is no intermediary placement agency. Lisa was able to speak directly to the nurse and form her own opinion. This created trust and gave her a good feeling that she was making the right decision for Merlinde.
- The focus is on people: At noracares, it's not just qualifications that count - empathy and interpersonal harmony also play a major role. Because only when everyone feels comfortable will a care relationship develop that is truly sustainable.
Lisa has found the perfect caregiver for Merlinde - and you can too! Start your search now with noracares and find the ideal support for your loved one.
Care in care level 5 is one of the biggest challenges in life - both for the person concerned and for their relatives. For Merlinde and her daughter Lisa, this period was an enormous burden. Merlinde needed intensive care that was both practical and financially secure. Fortunately, however, the German care system offers a wide range of assistance that is precisely tailored to the comprehensive needs of people in care level 5.
From care allowance to specialized care services, there are numerous options to help Merlinde and Lisa overcome this challenge. It is particularly important not to feel overwhelmed and to know that the right support can make everyday life much easier.
It's not just about financial-support, but also about making sure that you and your loved ones get the support you need - both emotionally and practically. After all, caring for someone is a huge responsibility, but with the right resources and a clear plan, both the wellbeing of those affected and the quality of life of their loved ones can be maintained.
Sign up with noracares now and find the caregiver that really suits you and your family today - with no intermediate steps, hidden costs and a lot of heart!
