Advocates for drastic changes in the childcare system proposed by social researcher
In a call to action, Stefan Sell, a renowned German social scientist, has highlighted the escalating financial burden on individuals in long-term care. The current care insurance system, which only provides a flat rate that varies according to care level, leaves a substantial gap between the insurance's coverage and the actual costs of care homes, often exceeding 4,500 euros per month.
This gap is typically covered from personal savings or by social welfare agencies, with the average personal contribution standing at 3,108 euros per month. However, this figure varies significantly across federal states and institutions. For instance, in Saxony-Anhalt, the personal contribution is 2,595 euros, while in North Rhine-Westphalia, it reaches 3,427 euros.
Sell attributes the rising costs to higher wages of care workers, which he considers necessary due to underpayment in care professions. He predicts that without reform, personal contributions for care could double within the next seven years.
To address these challenges, Sell proposes several solutions. Firstly, he advocates for strengthening social care insurance to cover a larger share of care costs, thereby reducing the direct out-of-pocket expenses for care recipients and their families.
Secondly, he suggests introducing or expanding means-tested subsidies or caps on personal contributions to prevent care costs from becoming a financial hardship.
Thirdly, he emphasises the importance of improving the efficiency and quality of care services to contain costs without reducing care quality.
Lastly, he promotes alternative care models, such as community-based or preventive care, to delay or reduce the need for expensive institutional care.
These proposals are supported by the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Companies, adding weight to Sell's claims about the high personal contributions in the care system. However, implementing these proposals would require higher premiums or additional tax funds to cover the associated costs.
As the demographics of Germany continue to shift, with an increasing number of people requiring long-term care, the need for a comprehensive reform of the care system becomes more pressing. Sell's proposals aim to slow down the increase in personal contributions for care, ensuring that care remains accessible and affordable for all.
Science plays a crucial role in finding solutions to improve health-and-wellness, especially when it comes to long-term care. noteworthy social scientist, Stefan Sell, suggests enhancing social care insurance to cover a larger portion of care costs, a step that could bolster health-and-wellness by reducing financial burdens associated with long-term care.
