Finding the right nursing home (Pflegeheim): a checklist
Moving into a nursing home is a big step. With the right questions, you can see more quickly which home suits your relative.
Key facts at a glance
- Visit several homes, if possible at different times of day.
- Ask for the costs in writing and broken down.
- The inspection results of the long-term care insurance funds give an indication of a home's quality.
- In the first two weeks after moving in, you can terminate the residential care contract at any time without notice.
First: what matters to you?
Before you compare homes, a short list of your own wishes helps:
- Location: close to family and friends, connections to buses and trains
- special needs, for example a separate living area for people with dementia
- single or double room, own furniture, pets
- faith, language and culture – some homes have staff who speak the resident's native language
During the visit: what to look for
- Atmosphere: how do staff and residents treat each other? Do the rooms look well kept and homely?
- Daily routine: are there activities, outings, celebrations? How flexible are the times for getting up and for meals?
- Food: is it freshly cooked? Is there a choice, and are special diets taken into account?
- Staff: how many carers are on duty during the day and at night? Are there fixed key contacts?
- Medical care: do GPs visit the home? How well does cooperation with specialists and pharmacies work?
- Relatives: what are the visiting rules? Are there evenings for relatives or a residents' council?
Assessing quality
Nursing homes are inspected regularly on behalf of the long-term care insurance funds. The funds publish the results on their online portals for finding nursing homes. There you can see how a home performs on important quality criteria, such as maintaining residents' mobility.
Your personal impression remains just as important. If possible, talk to residents or relatives who already know the home.
Costs and the residential care contract
Ask for a written breakdown of the personal contribution: care, accommodation, meals, investment costs and the training levy. The personal contribution for care goes down the longer the stay lasts, because the long-term care insurance fund pays a supplement that increases over time.
The residential care contract must state the services and charges precisely. Price increases must be announced in writing and justified. In the first two weeks after moving in, you can terminate without notice – an important safeguard in case the home is not the right fit after all.
If pension and savings are not enough, the social welfare office can step in with care assistance. Children are only required to pay maintenance if their gross annual income is more than 100,000 euros.
From application to moving in
Sort out the care level
Without a care level, the long-term care insurance fund pays nothing for the home. Apply early – benefits are paid from the month of the application.
Get on waiting lists
Many homes keep waiting lists. Register with several at the same time and check back regularly.
Prepare the move
Find out which pieces of furniture and keepsakes may come along. Familiar things make settling in easier.
Support the first weeks
Visit your relative often in the early days and stay in touch with the qualified nurse responsible for them.
Find nursing homes near you
Nursing homes with address, contact details and – where provided – free places.