Care Level 4: An Overview of Support, Services, and Financial Aid
Care Level 4 is one of the five care levels and stands for "severest impairment of independence." But what does that mean exactly? Who is classified into Care Level 4, and what support are those affected entitled to?
Caring for relatives is one of the biggest challenges for many families, and it is important to be well informed about the different care levels. Care Level 4 is often a central point when it comes to finding the right help. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about Care Level 4 – from the prerequisites and available services to the application procedures.
Prerequisites for Care Level 4:
Care level 4 is granted when there is a "most severe impairment of independence," which is assessed in the care assessment with 70 to under 90 points for the restriction of independence. With this classification, affected individuals can claim care benefits from long-term care insurance.
The care assessment is carried out according to the "New Assessment of Need" (NBA) and evaluates the extent of independence. In this process, not only the care effort is taken into account, but also the impairment of independence in various areas. The assessment awards up to 100 points, which are composed of six weighted thematic areas. For special needs situations, such as in pediatric care, there are special regulations. Those who aim for an upgrade to care level 4 must submit an application for an upgrade to the long-term care insurance.
Financial Support for Care Level 4
People with care level 4 often require multiple intensive support in everyday life, sometimes even almost continuous care. All care services are available to meet these needs. However, some services are not yet granted in full, as they are only fully covered from care level 5 onwards.
Compared to care levels 2 and 3, care level 4 grants you extended entitlements to care allowance, in-kind care benefits, day and night care, and services for inpatient care (nursing home). Other benefits remain unchanged at this care level.
Care allowance
If you care for your relative at home, you can apply for care benefits of 800 Euros per month. If you use in-kind care services, the care benefits will be proportionally reduced.
No proof of costs is required, but you must participate in a free quarterly consultation according to § 37.3 to receive advice on care, care law, and benefits.
Home care services
Care services enable you to support home care provided by professional caregivers, such as an outpatient care service. The care service can, if desired, bill your long-term care insurance directly for the costs.
With care level 4, you have 1,859 Euros available per month for these services. Please note that using care services reduces the entitlement to nursing care benefits accordingly.
Respite Care
Caring individuals can use substitute care for their own commitments such as illness, appointments, or holidays to finance a replacement by the hour or day. This service is available for up to 42 days (6 weeks) per year.
1,685 Euros are available annually for this purpose, which can be used to compensate private individuals or pay for an outpatient nursing service. Unused funds from short-term care can also be partially used for this.
Short-term care
Short-term care is ideal if you usually receive care at home but temporarily need inpatient care – for example, if your caregiver is unavailable and no substitute care is possible at home.
Up to €1,854 is available annually for short-term care, which can be used for a maximum of 56 days (eight weeks) per calendar year. Unused funds from this budget can partially be used for respite care.
Relief contribution
The monthly relief amount of 131 Euros supports additional care and relief services to ease the burden on caring relatives and promote the independence of the person in need of care.
If you have not yet used the relief amount, you can also apply for it retroactively. It can be used for various services such as day or night care, short-term care or everyday support services according to state law.
Inpatient care
If home care is not possible, for example because no caregiver is available, moving to a nursing home may become necessary.
For care level 4, long-term care insurance pays 1,855 euros per month for inpatient care. Additional costs, which are independent of the care level, must be borne by you. The subsidy from long-term care insurance increases with the length of stay in the nursing home.
Aids and care aids
Medical aids are covered by health insurance regardless of the care level. Nursing aids, on the other hand, are specifically intended for people in need of care and require a care level – the specific care level does not matter. Entitlement is based on your individual needs.
Nursing aids can include:
- Technical aids: Nursing beds, wheelchairs, bathing trolleys, emergency call systems, and other aids.
- Consumables: Disposable gloves, disinfectants, and similar items.
Home emergency call for care degree 4
A home emergency call system is an important technical care aid that provides security in everyday life. For this system, long-term care insurance grants a fixed monthly subsidy of up to 25.50 Euros, provided certain conditions are met.
With care level 4, a home emergency call system is particularly useful, as the constant availability of help can be crucial. The subsidy is granted if you live alone or are frequently alone and cannot call for help independently in an emergency.
A mobile emergency call system offers additional advantages: it accompanies you not only at home but also on the go, thus ensuring maximum security.
Emergency call system with fall detection
An emergency call wristband with fall detection offers people with care level 4 innovative support that enables them to have more security and independence despite limited self-reliance. Thanks to modern technologies and intuitive operation, it is optimally tailored to the needs of people requiring care.
-
Automatic Fall Detection
The emergency call wristband automatically detects falls and triggers an emergency call, even if the wearer can no longer react actively. This is particularly important in the case of severe falls or in situations where help is needed quickly. -
Quick Help in an Emergency
In addition to fall detection, the wristband can connect to emergency services or predefined contacts at the push of a button in an emergency, ensuring that help is always available. -
Increased Safety and Independence
The knowledge that the wristband reliably provides support conveys a sense of security and promotes an independent life, whether at home or on the go. -
Location Tracking
Thanks to the integrated GPS function, the exact location of the wearer can be determined in an emergency – an invaluable advantage when quick help is needed outside one's own home. -
User-friendliness
Operation is simple and tailored to the needs of older people. A single push of a button is enough to call for help, and automatic fall detection works completely independently. -
Additional Functions
Many models offer other useful features, such as storing medical information or notifying contacts when the battery is low.
An emergency call wristband with fall detection is a valuable addition to care, as it not only provides security but also helps to improve the quality of life.
Find out now if an emergency call system with fall detection 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 with fall detection was specifically developed to provide people in need of care with more safety and support, thereby helping them maintain 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.
-
Fall detection with 96% accuracy:
Specially developed for seniors and individually adjustable – also detects soft falls. -
Long battery life:
With a battery life of 21 days, you don't need to charge the wristband daily: -
European Roaming:
Thanks to Europe-wide roaming, you are always on the best network – completely independent of a provider. This way, 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 precisely. -
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 myGardia app, you have the option to set up to 6 individual emergency contacts who will be informed immediately 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 maintain control over the help you receive in an emergency.
More than just an emergency bracelet
With Gardia, you receive an emergency call bracelet that combines fall detection, GPS tracking, and direct communication in one device. The costs for the monthly subscription can be fully covered by the long-term care insurance.
Additional benefits for care level 4
Care should be individually adapted to the needs of the person requiring care. In addition to basic services, there are other support options specifically tailored to different situations:
- Home adaptation: For barrier-free conversions such as the installation of a stairlift or bathroom modernization, you can receive up to 4,180 euros from long-term care insurance.
- Care counseling: Free counseling according to §7a helps you organize care and find suitable support services.
- Care courses: Free training courses provide caregivers with practical knowledge, e.g., on personal hygiene or transfers.
- Care support allowance: This money secures the wages of caregivers in acute care emergencies and prevents financial bottlenecks.
- Shared living arrangement allowance: Those living in a care-shared living arrangement receive a monthly allowance of 224 euros, regardless of the care level.
- Digital care applications (DiPA): For digital care aids, long-term care insurance provides 53 euros per month
