Organizing Care in Berlin

Before applying for anything: Keep a care diary! Document daily life for at least 7-14 days – mobility, personal hygiene, memory, behaviors. Without this documentation you'll lose money later.

Berlin has 36 care support centers (3 per district) – use the free counseling BEFORE you apply! The advisors know all the tricks and help you not forget anything.

Submit the application to your care insurance (= your health insurance). The application can be informal – a short call or letter is enough. From the day of application you're entitled to benefits!

After the application, an assessor from MD (Medical Service) will come to your home. This assessment decides the care level! Preparation is crucial.

You'll receive a decision with the care level. Check carefully: Is the care level too low? Then file an appeal within 1 month!

Now comes the core financial decision: Care allowance (if relatives provide care) or benefits in kind (if a care service comes). A combination is also possible!

Now daily life begins: Find care service, apply for aids, adapt apartment. Much is paid by care insurance!

€131 monthly relief amount is available to you – almost always forgotten! Plus: Respite care and short-term care for breaks.

Many care recipients are also entitled to a disability ID. In Berlin apply at LAGeSo (welfare office). Processing time about 130-158 days!

Statutory long-term care insurance covers on average only about 50% of actual care costs. Supplementary care insurance closes the gap and prevents relatives from having to cover the costs.