Retirement and senior citizens' homes

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Retirement home, residential home, retirement home, retirement home, Villa Sana - these are many names for a form of living in which old people are more or less comprehensively supported in their everyday activities. Read more about it!

Independence is crucial

Regardless of the different designations - from retirement home to senior citizens' residence - there are only three types of homes under the Home Act: retirement home, retirement home and retirement home (= nursing home). They differ in the degree of independence that the residents have.

Retirement home

Residents of old people's homes usually have a separate, small apartment, including a kitchen, kitchenette or cooking cupboard, and sanitary facilities, and can run their household independently. Communal facilities are also available. It is ensured that the elderly can temporarily rely on food, care and care if necessary.

Old people's home

In an old people's home there are rooms or small apartments for residents that can be furnished with their own furniture. The housekeeping is done by the staff. When moving in, residents of old people's homes can usually do without supervision. However, staff are available for basic care as required.

Nursing home

People in need of care live in nursing homes who are dependent on outside help around the clock. You are accommodated in single, double or shared rooms. There is often the possibility that the residents bring (individual) their own furnishings when they move in.

Outpatient or home care?

Most older people only move into the home when their state of health has deteriorated so much that they can no longer live at home despite outpatient care. Most facilities have all three areas (old people's home, old people's home, old people's home) so that seniors do not have to move when their health deteriorates. In the meantime, the principle applies: people care for where people live.

statistics

In 2017 there were 3.4 million people in need of care in Germany, around four percent of the population. With increasing age, the need for care naturally becomes more likely. A good three quarters of those in need of care get the care they need at home (outpatient) (76 percent). Usually relatives take care of the care.Full inpatient long-term care in nursing homes received a total of 818,000 people in need of care (24 percent).

costs

If there is no care level, you have to bear the costs for full inpatient care yourself. Otherwise, the long-term care insurance covers part of the total costs proportionally to the respective care level (for care level 1 max. 125 euros per month, for care level 5 max. 2,005 euros per month). However, this only applies to the care-related costs. You have to pay the costs for accommodation and meals privately. This also applies to the care costs, which go beyond the maximum limit.

For many retirees, this means that they have to spend their entire pension and a large part of their assets on it. The children may also have to contribute to the cost recovery if the parents live in an old people's or senior citizens' home.

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