Care level 5: Support and benefits in Austria

The Pflegestufe 5 places high demands on the care of those affected, especially when the permanent presence of a caregiver is required. In order to cope with this challenge, there are a number of support options in Austria that can help you to cope with everyday care and find relief. In our guide, you can find out how you can make the most of this help and which legal aspects you should definitely consider.

 

Care level 5 in Austria: requirements, benefits and application

The Caring for a person with care level 5 is a challenge that requires both physical and emotional strength. It also brings with it financial and legal issues.

 

In Austria, however, there are comprehensive services and subsidies that can help those affected to cope with this challenging task. From financial grants and subsidies for special care aids to important legal regulations - there are numerous options available to help you.

 

In Austria, care level 5 is awarded to people with exceptional care needs who require more than 180 hours of care per month. This care level means that a caregiver must be permanently on call, but not permanently present.

 

Who is entitled to care level 5?

• Care level 5 is awarded to people who are in need of long-term care due to a severe physical, mental or psychological disability.

  The need for care includes:

• Regular check-ups during the night

• More than five nursing sessions per day, at least one of which must be at night

 

Care level 5: What benefits and subsidies are available in Austria?

• There are numerous support services available in Austria to help families cope with care, including:

• Care allowance 

• Special care aids 

• Funding for barrier-free adaptations

 

The care allowance

 

You can think of the care allowance as a pillar: The higher the care level, the stronger this pillar is. At care level 5, the person concerned is entitled to an amount of €1,123.50 (as of 2024) to finance intensive care. If a person is dependent on targeted movements for 65 or even 180 hours a month, the care allowance becomes all the more important. 

 

This money is paid out monthly in arrears, which means that families regularly receive the funds to ensure care. Special benefits for children and young people with increased care needs can also fall into this level.

 

Families can use this money flexibly - be it for professional carers, special aids or to recognize their own care work. The amount of the care allowance depends on the level of care required, which is determined by the assessment.

 

The application is submitted to the pension insurance institution, which carefully determines the care requirements to ensure that the person concerned receives the best possible support.

 

Funding for care level 5 in Austria

 

In addition to the care allowance, the purchases themselves are sometimes also financially supported. This applies, for example, to investments in care beds, special mattresses or wheelchairs, as well as necessary bathroom modifications. As a rule, these subsidies can be applied for from the health insurance fund, the Ministry of Social Affairs or other government agencies. For a person in need of care who requires 160 hours of care, such subsidies can be a great relief.

 

Also for the Adapting living spaces, such as installing stair lifts or converting to accessibility, there are specific funding programs that you and your family can take advantage of. Although these measures often require precise planning and documentation, the financial grants can cover a significant proportion of the costs.

 

For more information on the topic of grants, see our blog article "Promotions related to care".

 

Tax law relief

 

There are also a few reliefs in tax law that act as a financial cushion to cushion the costs of care. For example, you can claim extraordinary care expenses and costs incurred as a result of care for tax purposes - be it for medication, care staff or necessary modifications.

 

The health insurance contribution can also be deducted, and under certain conditions you can even claim a care allowance. If you need a qualified nurse or a doctor for support, these costs can also be deducted.

 

In addition, the care allowance remains tax-free, and under certain conditions you can even claim a care allowance. These reliefs help you to reduce the financial burden and have more leeway for the essentials: caring for a relative.

 

Parking passes

 

A parking permit is more than just a piece of paper - it allows you to park in disabled parking spaces that are particularly close to entrances or elevators. This is a great relief, especially in everyday life. The application is made at the district authority, and with the permit in your pocket, you can ensure that you are always comfortable on the road.

 

Funding for short-term care

 

Sometimes family caregivers simply need a break to recharge their batteries - and this is exactly where respite care comes in. This support is like a safe haven where your relative is well looked after for a certain period of time while you relax or attend important appointments.

 

Whether in a specialized facility or through mobile care services, this option gives family caregivers the freedom to recharge their own batteries without sacrificing quality of care.

 

How do I apply for care level 5?

To obtain care level 5, you must submit an application to your pension insurance institution. As part of the application process, an assessment will be carried out by a doctor or care professional to determine your exact care needs. Make sure you submit all the necessary documents in full to avoid delays.

 

Examples of exceptional maintenance

Care level 5 is awarded in cases where a considerable amount of time and physical effort is required for care. This may be the case, for example, in cases of severe incontinence, limited mobility or the need for regular night-time monitoring.

 

Prerequisites for the award of the care level

In order to be classified in care level 5, there must be an extraordinary need for care. This need for care must be confirmed in an expert opinion by a medical professional. The prerequisite is that the need for care will exist for at least six months.

 

Legal aspects of caring for a person in care level 5

Caring for a person with care level 5 not only brings emotional and financial challenges, but also a number of legal issues. To help you navigate this complex area, we take a look at the most important legal aspects that may affect you as a caregiver, but especially as a family caregiver.

 

Preventive Powers of Attorney and Living Wills

 

Powers of attorney and living wills can provide you with a legal safety net that safeguards your wishes and those of your loved one with regard to medical and financial decisions. An increase in care allowance can also be provided by certain legal provisions set out in such documents.

 

A health care proxy enables you to make legal and financial decisions on behalf of your loved one if they are no longer able to do so due to their health situation.

 

This safeguard is particularly important in the case of mental or psychological impairment, i.e. when your loved one can no longer speak for themselves and make decisions. It is an important document to ensure that the right decisions are made at critical moments.

 

A living will, on the other hand, specifies which medical measures are desired or rejected in the event of a serious illness or at the end of life. These directives ensure that medical treatment is in line with your or your loved one's wishes.

 

Ideally, both documents should be created early and reviewed regularly. This way, you can ensure that they meet the current wishes and needs of all parties involved, especially with regard to the specific requirements that care level 5 in Austria entails.

 

Find out more about living wills in our blog article "What do I need to consider in a living will?"

 

Custody Law

 

The guardianship law regulates how legal matters are organized for people with limited capacity to act. The guardian assumes responsibility for safeguarding the legal and personal interests of your loved one.

 

The appointment of a guardian is usually made by the court and there are different types of guardianship - from full guardianship, where the guardian can make comprehensive decisions, to partial guardianship, where only certain areas such as finances or medical matters are taken over by this person.

 

It is important to know the rights and duties of a caregiver. It is important to know the rights and duties of a caregiver in order to ensure that the person in need of care receives the best possible support without jeopardizing their own rights. Legal advice can often be helpful in navigating care law with confidence.

 

Erbrecht

 

Think of inheritance law as a map that shows the path for the distribution of your or your relatives' estate. of your relatives. It ensures that the belongings your loved one leaves behind are distributed according to his or her wishes and the legal requirements.

 

A clearly formulated will is like a precisely drawn compass that ensures that the estate is distributed according to the wishes of the deceased. It provides clear rules and options that prevent disputes or uncertainties from arising.

 

With a will, the person concerned can determine the course:

Who receives what assets, and how should the estate be organized? These legal documents help to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts among the heirs and ensure that the last wishes of the deceased are respected.

 

It can make sense to consult an experienced inheritance law expert, especially when it comes to large estates or complex family structures.

 

This can help to formulate the will precisely and meet all legal requirements. This will ensure that the inheritance process runs smoothly and that the distribution of the estate is clearly regulated.

 

Care Insurance

 

Care insurance is like a firm support that keeps those affected safely on their feet in the often stormy day-to-day care routine. While you take care of the day-to-day care of your relative, private long-term care insurance offers you the financial support you need to overcome all the challenges.

 

This type of insurance works like a comprehensive safety net that helps you cover the often high costs of care. In addition to the benefits provided by statutory long-term care insurance, you can find additional cover that is specifically tailored to the needs of your situation.

 

It provides funding for additional carers, specialized aids or adaptations to the living space - everything needed to make care more comfortable and effective.

 

Purchasing private long-term care insurance is voluntary and there are various tariff models that offer different benefits and amounts of cover. This allows you to choose the cover that best suits your individual situation.

 

Whether for round-the-clock care or for specialized therapies - tailor-made insurance ensures that financial bottlenecks are not a problem.

 

Because while statutory benefits often only cover part of the actual costs, you can use private insurance to cover the rest and thus avoid unexpected financial burdens.

 

Policy of silence and data protection

 

As a caregiver, you will be entrusted with sensitive information about the health and life of the person in need of care. The duty of confidentiality protects this personal data and ensures that information may only be passed on with explicit consent.

 

Privacy is particularly important to protect the privacy of the data subject and to prevent misuse or unauthorized disclosure of information.

 

In order to ensure that you comply with all legal requirements, it is advisable to regularly inform yourself about the current data protection regulations and ensure that all relevant documents and information are stored securely.

 

FAQ on care level 5 in Austria

What does care at care level 5 include? 

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Care level 5 includes the permanent availability of a caregiver who must also regularly check on the person in need of care at night.

 

How long does the assessment take?

The assessment takes place within a few weeks of submitting the application and is organized by the pension insurance company.

 

 

 

Conclusion on care level 5 in Austria

Caring for a relative at care level 5 is like an intense, often demanding adventure that is challenging on many levels. But in Austria, there is a network of comprehensive options that can support you and accompany you on this journey.

 

From financial-aid such as the care allowance to valuable subsidies for necessary adaptations to tax relief and legal aspects- there are numerous resources to help you navigate the daily challenges of caregiving.

 

While you master the challenges that care level 5 brings, you can rely on Austria to offer you a wide range of support measures. This help is like a ray of light shining through the complexity of care, giving you and your family some relief and security.

 

Use these options to make everyday care easier and offer your relative the best possible support. Not only will you be able to carry the burden more easily, but you can also enjoy the moments of closeness and care that are at the heart of this valuable task.

 

Remember that you are not alone and that you can get help! At noracares, you will find both short-term and long-term support to relieve you and lovingly care for your relative(s).

 

Register register today and find the right caregiver!