Care Level 2: Requirements, Benefits, and Support
Caring for relatives is a responsible task that often involves many questions about organization and financing. In the following article, you will find out everything important about care level 2, the requirements, financial benefits, and how modern aids such as emergency call wristbands can make everyday life easier.
Prerequisites for Care Level 2
For a person to receive care benefits, a care level must be determined. The following requirements apply for care level 2:
Limited independence
Individuals in long-term care level 2 have minor to moderate impairments that require support in areas such as personal hygiene, mobility, or household management.
Regular help necessary
There must be a need for support several times a day with everyday tasks such as personal hygiene, eating, or dressing and undressing.
MDK assessment
The Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds (MDK) or a comparable service conducts an assessment to determine the care level.
Financial Support for Care Level 2
Care Level 2 provides access to various financial benefits that can be used individually:
Nursing care allowance
Nursing benefits are a special payment that is paid directly to you and can be used without proof. With care level 2, you receive 347 euros per month.
The prerequisite for this is that care is organized independently at home. If you also receive nursing in-kind benefits, the amount of nursing benefits will be reduced. This option is often preferred by people who are cared for by relatives or close individuals.
Home care services
Nursing benefits are designed to supplement home care provided by professional caregivers. They enable the financing of services typically provided by an outpatient care service.
With care level 2, you can use 796 euros per month for this. Please note, however, that the use of nursing benefits reduces the entitlement to nursing allowance accordingly.
Respite care
Respite care allows the primary caregiver to be temporarily relieved, whether due to illness, vacation, or other obligations. Up to 42 days or 6 weeks per year can be used for this purpose.
An annual budget of 1,685 Euros is available for this. This budget can be used to arrange an outpatient nursing service or a private individual to provide care. Parts of the amount can also be used for short-term care.
Short-term care
Short-term care is an option when temporary inpatient care is required, even though basic care is usually provided at home. This is often the case after major operations or when there is an acute deterioration in health.
You have 1,854 euros available annually for short-term care, with a maximum duration of 56 days or eight weeks per year. Unused budget can partially be used for respite care.
Relief amount
The relief amount is intended to relieve family caregivers and promote the independence of people in need of care. It is the same for all care levels and amounts to 131 euros per month, including for care level 2.
This amount can be used for the following services:
- Day or night care
- Outpatient care and support (excluding basic care)
- Short-term care
- Services to support daily life in accordance with state law
Day Cream & Night Cream
Day and night care offer useful support for home care. The person in need of care spends only the day or night in an inpatient care facility and otherwise lives at home.
With care level 2, you have a monthly budget of 721 euros available for these services. Although this amount is not sufficient for daily use, it does allow for several days of partial inpatient care per month.
Aids and Care Products
All individuals with health insurance are generally entitled to medical aids, regardless of their care level. A doctor's prescription is a prerequisite. For nursing aids, however, the care level is crucial.
Nursing aids include:
- Technical aids: nursing bed, nursing wheelchair, wash trolley and other devices
- Consumables: disinfectants, disposable gloves and similar items
Emergency call system for care level 2
The home emergency call system is a technical care aid for which a fixed subsidy is granted. This subsidy is subject to certain conditions, unlike many other aids.
If you live alone, have a care degree, and are unable to call for help yourself in an emergency, you can receive a monthly subsidy of up to 25.50 Euros for an approved emergency call system.
Since people with care degree 2 are usually still active and mobile, a mobile emergency call system offers a significant advantage: it works both at home and on the go.
Mobile Emergency Call System for Care Level 2
An emergency call bracelet offers valuable support for people with care level 2 who are still active and mobile but need quick help in an emergency. It combines modern technology with simple operation and provides additional safety and independence.
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Quick help in an emergency:
In the event of a fall or other emergencies, the emergency call bracelet allows for quick assistance to be summoned. This is a significant advantage, especially for individuals without a direct caregiver on-site. -
Increased safety and independence:
The emergency call bracelet gives wearers a sense of security, as they know that help is quickly available if needed. It promotes independence and thus contributes to a higher quality of life. -
Location determination:
Emergency call bracelets with GPS functionality allow the exact location of the person to be determined in an emergency. This is particularly useful if the person is out and about and needs help. -
Easy to use:
Emergency call bracelets are generally easy to operate. A single push of a button is enough to trigger the emergency call, which is especially helpful for people who have difficulty with other technical devices. -
Communication with caregivers:
Some models allow direct calls to pre-programmed contacts such as caregivers or relatives. This facilitates communication in an emergency. -
Medical information:
Emergency call bracelets can also store important medical data such as allergies or medication plans, which can be relevant for emergency services in an emergency. -
Battery life and notification functions:
Modern emergency call bracelets offer long battery life and automatically notify defined contacts if the battery runs low or if there are technical problems. -
Fall detection:
Emergency call bracelets with fall detection recognize a fall and automatically notify emergency contacts or the emergency center without the wearer having to actively intervene.
Find out now if a mobile emergency call system is right for you.
These three short questions will give you certainty in no time.
The clever Gardia emergency call system
The Gardia emergency wristband was specially developed to offer people in need of care more safety and support, thus maintaining their independence and self-reliance for as long as possible. It combines modern technology with simple, user-friendly functions that relieve both the wearer and their relatives.
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Fall detection with 96% accuracy:
Specifically developed for seniors and individually adjustable – also detects soft falls. -
Long battery life:
With a battery life of 21 days, you don't have to charge the wristband daily. -
European Roaming:
Thanks to Europe-wide roaming, you are always connected to the best network – regardless of provider. This means you can always rely on a reliable connection, no matter where you are. -
Accurate location in emergencies:
The location is precisely determined so that help arrives quickly and effectively. -
Professional 24/7 Bosch emergency call center:
Available around the clock to quickly and competently organize help in an emergency. -
Personal emergency contacts:
With the My Gardia App, you have the option to set up to 6 individual emergency contacts who will be immediately informed in case of an emergency. You decide who is notified first – your trusted emergency contacts or the professional 24/7 emergency call center. This way, you retain control over the help you receive in an emergency.
More than just an emergency bracelet
With Gardia, you get an emergency call wristband that combines fall detection, GPS tracking, and direct communication in one device. Costs for the monthly subscription can be fully covered by the long-term care insurance fund.
Grant for Housing Adaptations
with Care Grade 2
When everyday movements become increasingly difficult or impossible, simple things like stairs, slippery bathtubs, or toilets without grab bars can become real hazards to your safety and independence.
A stairlift offers a proven solution for overcoming stairs. In the bathroom, one of the highest-risk areas, targeted modifications – whether through small adjustments or more extensive changes – can significantly improve safety.
Long-term care insurance supports such home modifications with grants of up to 4,180 Euros per renovation project. This means you can receive the full grant for different measures if you apply for them beforehand.
Additional services for care level 2
Every care situation is unique and requires tailored solutions. To ensure optimal care, various targeted care services are available.
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Care Consultation:
If you have care level 2, you can receive a free and comprehensive care consultation upon request. This consultation helps you optimally organize your personal care situation and informs you about relief and support services. -
Care Courses for Relatives:
In practical care courses, relatives learn everything important – from proper dressing and safe transfers to personal hygiene. These courses are for everyone who actively provides care or is interested in doing so – and they are completely free of charge. -
Care Support Allowance:
In the event of an acute care emergency, the care support allowance protects against financial losses by covering the continued payment of wages or salary. This allows you to care for your loved ones without experiencing financial hardship. -
Shared Living Group Supplement:
For people living in shared living groups, long-term care insurance provides a monthly supplement of 224 Euros. This supplement is granted regardless of the care level – be it care level 1, 2, or 5. - Digital Care Applications (DiPA): Innovative digital care applications that support those in need of care and caregivers can be approved as DiPAs. For this, long-term care insurance provides up to 53 Euros per month.
