Informal care: This is how millions of Germans support their relatives!

Informal care: This is how millions of Germans support their relatives!

In Germany there is an invisible army by helpers that are often overlooked: the informal caregivers! These committed people are devoted to the care of relatives without receiving official remuneration. According to the Fraunhofer Institute, there are an impressive 4.9 million people who spend at least an hour with nursing tasks every day. An increase of 800,000 compared to the previous year shows how important this support is for the health system!

But what exactly is informal care? The term itself reveals it: it is care that takes place outside the bureaucratic framework. According to the Social Code (SGB) XI, informal caregivers are “not acquired” and take care of those in need of care in their home environment. But be careful! Only those who have at least ten hours a week for care can take advantage of government support services. If you invest less time, you are considered an informally nourishing and therefore has limited options.

The reality of informal care

Most informal caregivers are close members of the person in need of care. The Iegus Institute emphasizes that many want to fulfill this person as long as possible as long as possible. This emotional bond is the main reason why so many people plunge into informal care, often without being aware of the enormous stress that is associated with it.

The challenge is great, and the recognition is often low. Informal care is an indispensable part of the German care system, which urgently needs more attention and support!