Max and his everyday helper: A day full of joy in Coswig!

Max and his everyday helper: A day full of joy in Coswig!

In Saxony, the number of care and relief services available has increased significantly in recent years. This shows how important these services have become for people in need of care and their families. At a time when the need to support those in need of care not only medically but also in everyday life is becoming increasingly important, the growth in this area is encouraging.

An example of this type of support is the encounter between Max, a 21-year-old with Down syndrome, and Sebastian, his everyday helper. Sebastian regularly helps Max by doing shopping with him or simply spending time together. This type of care goes far beyond basic care; it is a type of friendship that offers joy and security to both. Max, who often has difficulty finding his way around in everyday life, experiences both relief and joy through Sebastian's support.

Provider diversity is growing

According to the Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs, the number of support offers in Saxony has increased by more than a third to 806 in the last four years. This shows that the demand for such services is growing rapidly as more people and their loved ones realize the benefits. While the terms and offers may differ in different federal states, the core of the mission remains the same everywhere: helping people to better cope with their everyday lives.

These services, like Sebastian's, are not only important for those affected themselves, but they also relieve the burden on family members. Max's mother is grateful that her son receives this support to accompany him in his daily activities. However, there are challenges: Remuneration for everyday assistance is limited. While care services can often be billed at higher hourly rates, fees for everyday care services are capped, which is causing discontent in the industry.

Liesa Pursche, an everyday helper in Freital, describes her good relationship with her clients, among whom is 85-year-old Wilfried Partzsch. In times when things are economically challenging, she still enjoys contact with people. Liesa makes sure that Wilfried isn't lonely, takes care of simple tasks and offers him distraction. She is one of many who work with passion in this industry to enrich the lives of older and vulnerable people.

Challenges and opportunities

However, the industry also faces challenges, particularly in terms of limited compensation and often bureaucratic hurdles. Everyday helpers, like Liesa, often have to pay in advance before they receive reimbursement from the health insurance companies. Daniel Heidan, Managing Director of “Anvertraut”, emphasizes the need for fairer remuneration and a clear separation between care and everyday assistance in order to maintain the quality of the offer.

The increasing qualification requirements for everyday helpers can also have a deterrent effect. Sebastian is an experienced psychologist who does this job out of conviction. But not everyone who is interested in working as an everyday helper can find the access they need. According to Heidan, there remains hope that conditions will improve in the future and more people can be attracted to this important profession.

The large number of providers that have established themselves in this area clearly shows that there is a need that is readily recognized. In addition, many providers feel like they are important supporters in a system that is coming under increasing pressure. It will therefore be exciting to see how this sector will develop and to what extent politicians will be able to improve the framework conditions for this valuable work.

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