Assess the need for help: How much support is needed?

What does "in need of care" actually mean?

People can become in need of care overnight: After a serious fall, a stroke or another illness, they are suddenly dependent on help in everyday life. However, the need for support can also increase gradually: a helping hand is needed here, something no longer works so well on its own there. At some point, the question arises: how can the need for help and care be realistically assessed?
People are considered to be in need of care if they require assistance from others or aids to carry out everyday tasks. Everyday tasks include, for example:

• Dressing and undressing
• personal hygiene
• doing the shopping
• Eating and drinking
• maintaining contacts
• Structuring the day

How can I determine how much help is needed?

Illnesses, accidents, a disability or simply declining strength in old age mean that people need more support. The following overview helps you to realize how much help is actually needed in everyday life:

• Moving (mobilization): Can the person stand up on their own, climb stairs, change position when lying down, pick up objects?
• Orientation: Do they know the date and time of day? Do they have an overview of what appointments are coming up?
• Noticing and communicating needs: Does the person sense when they are hungry and thirsty? Do they notice when they need to go to the toilet? Can they ask for help and accept it?
• Emotions: Can the person consciously perceive and deal with feelings such as anger or annoyance?
• Body care: Does the person concerned use the shower, can they comb their hair and brush their teeth independently?
• Illness: Is the person aware that they are ill? Can they take their own medication or put on support stockings, for example?
• Daily routines: Does the person maintain regular contact, attend appointments, manage to organize their daily routine?
• Eating and drinking: Can they prepare meals, eat and drink independently?

It can help to keep a diary. Be absolutely honest and make a note of all situations in everyday life where support is needed. Is one aid enough or does another person need to lend a hand and accompany you?

Checklist to help you think:

Whether you have a need for care as defined by long-term care insurance is assessed in a complex procedure. The care insurance fund sends an assessor to your home to assess your need for support. The checklist can help to give the assessor a realistic picture of the situation. Further information on the procedure can be found here.