Vacation and care - is that even possible?
Holidays and care? No contradiction!
Many family caregivers ask themselves exactly this question: Am I allowed to take time off at all? What will happen to my mother, my father or my partner who needs care during this time? The good news is: Yes, you can - and you should. After all, rest is not a luxury, but an important resource for being there for others in the long term.
With the right planning, financial support and professional offers, the seemingly impossible becomes a completely realizable wish. Whether you want to travel alone, recharge your batteries or spend a relaxing time together with the person in need of care - there are many ways to make it work.
In this article, we show you how you can enjoy your well-deserved vacation despite your care responsibilities. We give you practical tips, introduce you to funding options and show you how noracares can help you organize the right care for your loved ones - so that you can relax with a good feeling.
Recreational vacation, cure or rehab for family caregivers
Cure or rehab: relief with medical justification
Care is more than just a task - it's a full-time job. Many family members often shoulder this responsibility for years on end, without taking a break, regardless of their own health. It is perfectly legitimate - and necessary - to take care of yourself. This is precisely why there are targeted offers in Austria such as Cures or Rehabilitation stays, which are provided by the Health or pension insurance.
The difference:
- A Cure serves the preventive care, for example in cases of overwork, back pain, stress or sleep disorders.
- A Rehab is intended if there are already health restrictions or illnesses that need to be treated - e.g. after a slipped disc. e.g. after a slipped disc or in the case of mental exhaustion.
The prerequisite for both variants is a medical necessity, which has been confirmed by your family doctor in a medical certificate. This certificate is submitted together with the application to the responsible social insurance institution (e.g. pension insurance institution or ÖGK). After examination, you will receive an approval or rejection - depending on your individual assessment.
Replacement care as a vacation replacement: Relaxed travel despite care responsibilities
There is not always a medical indication - but the burden of care can still be too great. Even then, you don't have to go without a vacation. Because with Replacement care offers the Social Ministry Serviceproviding a financial support for a temporary replacement, so that you can recharge your batteries.
Prerequisites for funding:
- You maintain for at least one year a close relative with care allowance levels 3 to 7
- In case of proven dementia or for minors in need of care is already Care level 1
- Replacement care lasts at least 7 days, for dementia or children 4 days
How much financial support is available?
Depending on the care level and situation, the funding ranges between €1.200 and €2,500 per year. Important: Income limits apply. The monthly net income must not exceed:
- 2.000 € for care level 1-5
- 2.500 € for care level 6-7
Which situations are eligible?
In addition to vacation travel, you can also in case of illness, professional stays abroad or family emergencies. It is always important that you have a documented care history and a suitable substitute - such as a mobile carer, a care service or a trusted person.
Leave allowance for family caregivers
Pilot projects & models for financial relief
Caregiving relativesdo great things every day - often for free and for years on end. To give them at least a little time out, more and more federal states are implementing targeted support projects. In particular Upper Austria is setting a good example and has a Pilot project for vacation allowances, which will continue in 2024/2025.
Also in Lower Austria, Tyrol and Carinthia comparable models also exist in . The aim is to relieve the financial burden on family caregivers and at the same time create real recreational space - without a guilty conscience.
What is supported?
Depending on your state, you may be eligible for financial aid for a Holidays in Austria - either alone or together with the person in need of care. The amount of the subsidy depends on the level of care and the destination. Funding is available for both classic relaxation vacations and spa stays or assisted trips to care hotels.
Important: The grants are always time-limited, have clear income limits and must be applied for in good time after the leave.
Example from practice: Elisabeth takes a break
Elisabeth (63) from Amstetten has been caring for her sister for over three years - with a diagnosis of dementia. When she heard about the holiday campaign in Lower Austria, she applied for the grant and spent a week with her sister at a care hotel in the Waldviertel region.
"I was nervous - but it was the best decision. I had time to breathe, my sister was lovingly looked after and we were still able to eat together and go for walks. I wouldn't have been able to do it financially without the grant."
Application made easy
To receive the vacation allowance, you usually need:
- a nursing allowance notice (from level 3, for dementia also level 1 or 2 possible)
- a Proof of vacation (e.g. hotel bill, booking confirmation)>. e.g. hotel bill, booking confirmation)
- a Proof of residence in the respective federal state
- if applicable. Proof of main maintenanceby you
- and a formless application form, available from the Landesregierung or Nursing
Nora's tip: If you are planning a vacation, our caregivers can also help you with the application process on request. You can also find caregivers on the platform who can step in at short notice - or even go on a trip with you and your relative. Flexible, trustworthy and directly tailored to your needs.
Holidays with people in need of care: Experience time out together - with safety
Care hotels, travel services & new opportunities
Just because a person is in need of care doesn't mean they have to miss out on vacation joy - and you as a caregiverr relativesr either. In recent years, a new form of travel has established itself in Austria and Germany: Nursing vacation with care and hotel comfort.
More and more hotels and spas are specializing in the needs of people with care requirements. For you, this means: Relief, without separation - time together, but with professional support on site. And best of all, many of these offers are eligible or can be combined with substitute care services.
Care hotels in Austria
Numerous hotels now offer:
- Accessible rooms with modern emergency call systems
- Care services by qualified professionals
Wellness offers and excursion programs - Catering for special dietary requirements
- Optional Intensive care or night care
Facilities that are particularly recommended are e.g. For example:
- Nursing Hotels & "Recovery Days" (u. among others in St. Veit, Vienna or Bad Ischl)
- Cure and care combinations at "K.u.r.+" in Bad Hall (Upper Austria) - Relatives enjoy spa treatment, those in need of care live in a nearby nursing home
- Haus St. Teresa der Barmherzigen Brüder Linz - also suitable for accompanied rehab stays
These offers allow you to recharge your batteries - and stay close to your loved one at the same time. Many facilities offer relieving day structures and Care on demand while you relax.
Holidays with people in need of care in Germany
Germany is a pioneer in the field of accessible and care-friendly vacation offers. Tour operators such as:
offer specialized trips for people with care and support needs. The trips include:
- Wheelchair transportation
- Accommodation in accessible hotels with care services
- Travel companion and 24h assistance
- Leisure program, medical care and help in everyday life
Whether North Sea, Allgäu or Black Forest - many regions have adapted to this target group. Also Care hotels in Bavaria or Nursing Wellness Centers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are among the top addresses.
Traveling together - with or without a caregiver
Did you know that there is also Caregivers that go on vacation with you if you wish? Via platforms such as noracares you can search specifically for caregivers who Caregivers for vacations or stays abroad - flexible, caring and personalized.
This is especially helpful if you:
- take a cure yourself and want your loved one to be well cared for
- want to travel together, but share responsibility
- simply looking for a companion who can provide professional support
Nora's checklist for a successful nursing vacation
Tip from the field: Vacation in Burgenland with support
Karin (67) cares for her husband with Parkinson. Thanks to a care hotel in Burgenland, they were able to travel together - with relief from qualified care staff and barrier-free accommodation. "I finally had time for myself again - without a guilty conscience," says Karin. "And my husband was well looked after."
Vacation despite care responsibilities? Yes - and you deserve it.
Caregiving relatives do incredible things every day. But even heroes need a break - not only to recharge their batteries, but also to stay healthy and resilient in the long term.
The desire for relaxation and time out is not selfishness, but a smart decision for yourself and your loved ones. Whether it's a cure, substitute care, a vacation allowance or a trip together with a carer - there are many ways in which you can get relief and support.
noracares is at your side: we help you find the right care - for home, as a vacation replacement or for shared travel experiences. Direct, human and without detours via expensive agencies.
Take the first step towards relief - and plan your next vacation with a good feeling.
- Replacement care: Caregiver substitution during main caregiver's time off
- Nursing allowance: Financial support for people with care needs
- Nursing Hotel: Accommodation with nursing staff and barrier-free infrastructure
- Vacation Allowance: Financial support for family caregiver leave
- Cure/Rehab: Medical measures for recovery or treatment
- noracares: Platform for direct mediation between caregivers and families
