For the care of a relative it is often necessary to pay attention in advance. Here are 8 tips for caring for relatives:
1. Carefully look after aftercare
Caring relatives can already find out what they are capable of at the hospital. Social services or nursing transfer staff from clinics take care of aftercare. They help family carers submit applications for rehab or care, provide the right care services or organize resources. Contact the discharge management of your hospital and find out about possible help and care tips.
2. Contact the family doctor and nursing consultant
Discuss your next steps with the family doctor of your loved one. Family doctors know the medical history as well as the personal needs of their patients. In addition, they are well connected locally and can recommend outpatient care services and care advisors in your area. For example, nursing consultants create individual care plans and initiate the necessary measures in cooperation with the nursing care fund. Health insurance companies, care centers or charitable associations offer this consultation free of charge.
3. Apply for care allowance
Contact the caregivers of your relative and apply for a long-term care allowance as soon as possible. The application is the beginning of the services, so do not forget the date, signature and copy! If, according to an opinion of the Medical Service of Health Insurance (MDK), the request for care is rejected, you should object in writing within four weeks. You have to substantiate your opposition, so bring in experts.
4. Long-term care funds finance certain nursing aids for consumption
Long-term care funds provide caregivers with a monthly budget of 40 euros for certain nursing aids, such as disinfectants or disposable gloves. The money will not be paid. Nurses can order the utensils from various providers such as pharmacies or online shops. These then calculate the costs directly with the nursing care fund. The latter deliver the products right to their door: Nursing people put boxes together with the required items and the online shop sends them automatically every month.
5. Barrier-free living
Neutral housing advice centers will inform you about options, financing and your obligations as a tenant. When setting up, it is worth investing in a nursing bed. The bed should be mobile and height adjustable. This allows caregivers to take care of the back and makes it easier for the patient to get up from bed. The height of the backrest and thigh rest should be adjustable. This is comfortable for the patient and makes it easier for the caregiver to relocate. Telescopic side uprights are recommended.
6. Request help
Helping is good and can enrich. Pay attention to your own needs. Precisely because you love the entrusted patient, you have to take care of your own well-being. Treat yourself to a break: relax with a massage, meet up with friends and relatives for a coffee or go back to the movies. Many family carers have a guilty conscience of keeping „their“ protege in the care of others or are ashamed to ask friends or family members for help. But such unfounded fears can lead to long-term loneliness and social isolation. Therefore trust your social environment. Activate family and friends. Even neighbors or acquaintances are potential supporters. Find the contact and formulate honestly and concretely what support you need.
7. Care and relief offers
Since January 2015, „low-threshold care or relief offers“ relieves caregivers. You can find out what is suitable for you online here or here. Anyone in need of assistance with caring or care can get helpers in the house, give the medication, change associations or inject insulin. Even household helpers who clean windows, do shopping or do the laundry can be financed with the budget. With entry into force of the Nursing Act on 01.01. This will be increased in 2017: Instead of 104 euros, those in need of care will then have access to 125 euros. Hardship cases, whose everyday skills are considerably restricted, are entitled to a higher performance of 208 euros.
8. Treat yourself to a break
You too get sick or just need a break. This is not a problem: if caregivers can not fulfill their obligation, family members, friends or a nursing service may step in. For the so-called prevention care, those who are entitled to care allowance are entitled to a budget of 1612 euros. If the person in need of care has to be provided full-time in a facility at times, the same amount is available. The Nursing Welfare Act stipulates that as of 2016, half of the care allowance will continue to be paid in these cases. In the prevention care for a period of 42 days, in the short-term care for 56 days. The new legislation also allows health insurance companies to grant eight weeks of temporary care. Previously, this was only possible if the insured balances his budget for replacement care completely or partially in the short-term care.
