Care Grade 1 marks the entry into the official care level system and is an important step for those who depend on care. In this blog article, we want to take a closer look at Care Grade 1, explain its significance, and outline the benefits associated with it. But first, we will provide an overview of the care grades.
Care grades are a classification in the German care system that reflects the degree of a person's need for care. With the introduction of the Second Nursing Care Strengthening Act (Pflegestärkungsgesetz II) in 2017, the previous care levels were replaced by five care grades. The care grades serve to more accurately assess the individual support needs of people requiring care and to provide them with more tailored services. Here is an overview of the care grades:
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Care Grade 1: Minor impairment of independence
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Persons with minor impairments in self-care and mobility.
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Often, extensive care is not yet necessary, but supportive measures are already required.
Care Grade 2: Significant impairment of independence
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Persons with significant impairments in self-care and mobility.
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Care needs are already considerably higher, but affected individuals can still perform some activities themselves.
Care Grade 3: Severe impairment of independence
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Persons with severe impairments in self-care and mobility.
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Care needs are high, and extensive independence is only possible to a limited extent.
Care Grade 4: Severest impairment of independence
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Persons with severest impairments in self-care and mobility.
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High care needs, extensive independence is no longer present.
Care Grade 5: Severest impairment of independence with special requirements for nursing care
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Persons with severest impairments requiring special nursing care.
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Highest care grade, when particularly intensive supervision and care are necessary.
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The classification into a care grade is carried out by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK) based on an assessment procedure. Various areas of life such as mobility, cognitive abilities, communication, self-care, and psychosocial aspects are evaluated. The determined care grade then defines the amount of financial support and the type of services that the person requiring care can receive.
What is Care Grade 1?
The focus of this article is on the Care Grade 1 benefits, the financial support, and the criteria that lead to classification in this care grade.
Care Grade 1 is the lowest of the five care grades that have been in effect since the introduction of the Nursing Care Strengthening Act in 2017. It is assigned to people whose impairments are present but comparatively minor. This care grade is also referred to as "minor impairment" and indicates that support in daily life is necessary, but at a comparatively low level.
Requirements for Care Grade 1
How much money do I receive with Care Grade 1? People in Care Grade 1 are entitled to financial support to cope with the challenges associated with the need for care. In 2024, the monthly Care Grade 1 benefit amounts to approximately 125 euros. This money can be flexibly used for individual needs, whether for purchasing aids, financing care courses, or relieving relatives.
Criteria for Care Grade 1:
Mobility: The ability to move independently is assessed. Limitations such as difficulty climbing stairs or walking on uneven ground can favor classification in Care Grade 1.
Cognitive and communicative abilities: It is examined whether there are impairments in orientation, concentration, or memory. Difficulties in verbal communication can also be taken into account.
Self-care: The ability to independently perform personal hygiene, nutrition, and daily mobility is carefully examined. Limitations that can favor classification in a higher care grade play a role here.
Psychosocial criteria: Social aspects such as the quality of social contacts and coping with daily life are also included in the assessment. The availability of support from relatives or professional caregivers can play a role here.
Benefits of Care Grade 1
Even though Care Grade 1 is classified as the lowest, affected individuals are still entitled to benefits. These serve to promote independence in daily life and enable the best possible quality of life for those affected. These include, among others:
Consultation visits: People in need of care with Care Grade 1 are entitled to regular consultation visits by nursing professionals. These professionals advise and support those affected and their relatives with questions related to care. People in need of care, relatives, and caregivers receive advice and guidance to facilitate coping with minor limitations in daily life.
Care courses: To support family caregivers, courses can be taken. Here they receive practical tips and guidance on dealing with people in need of care. In addition, affected individuals receive support with personal hygiene, mobility, and nutrition to ease daily life and maintain independence.
Care aids: Care Grade 1 also entitles individuals to receive care aids that are intended to make daily life easier. These include, for example, walking aids, care beds, or special care clothing. This also includes financial support for small aids and adaptations in the living space to promote independence.
Relief amount: People in need of care and their relatives are entitled to a monthly relief amount. This can be used, for example, for support services in the household or for using care services.
Psychosocial support: Promoting social contacts, hobbies, and interests to counteract social isolation and maintain zest for life.
For people with Care Grade 1, a emergency call bracelet can be a valuable addition to ensure safety and quick help when needed. The emergency call bracelet is a discreet and user-friendly aid specifically designed for people with minor impairments in independence, as found in Care Grade 1.
Advantages of the emergency call bracelet:
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Immediate help: In the event of a fall or an acute deterioration of health, the affected person can immediately request help by pressing the emergency call button.
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Location determination: Modern emergency call bracelets are often equipped with GPS, which allows the exact location to be determined in an emergency. This facilitates rapid assistance.
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Contact with relatives or care service: The emergency call bracelet can be configured so that predefined contacts (e.g., relatives or care service) are automatically notified in an emergency.
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24/7 availability: The emergency call bracelet is ready for use 24/7, ensuring continuous safety.
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Easy to use: The operation of the emergency call bracelet is usually straightforward and only requires pressing a button. This makes it easy to handle even for people in Care Grade 1.
For people with Care Grade 1, the costs for an emergency call bracelet may be covered by financial support within the framework of the care grade. This financial support can help promote safety and independence in daily life.
Gardia is an emergency call system consisting of a bracelet for the wearer and the My Gardia app for emergency contacts. It is extremely reliable and easy to use.
With the emergency call bracelet, help can be called via an emergency button or automatic fall detection.
You can find more information on the website www.gardia.net.
Conclusion:
Care Grade 1 as an opportunity for support
The targeted services, adapted to minor limitations, are intended to promote independence and increase the quality of life for those in need of care. It is important to inform oneself about the possibilities and entitlements in Care Grade 1 to make the best possible use of support and maintain independence in daily life. Even though Care Grade 1 marks the entry into the care level system and is associated with comparatively low benefits, it is nevertheless of great importance. Therefore, it is crucial to fully utilize the opportunities offered by Care Grade 1 and actively seek support.
FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Care Grade 1 and who can receive it?
Care Grade 1 describes a minor impairment of independence. It is aimed at people who need slight support in daily life, for example, with mobility, self-care, or orientation. Classification is carried out by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK) based on a standardized assessment procedure.
2. What benefits are available to people with Care Grade 1?
Persons in Care Grade 1 receive, among other things:
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a monthly relief amount of €125
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consultation by nursing professionals
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care courses for relatives
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care aids such as walking aids or care beds
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psychosocial support to promote social contacts and activities
These services support independence in daily life and facilitate care for relatives.
3. How can the Gardia emergency call bracelet support people with Care Grade 1?
The Gardia emergency call bracelet offers safety in daily life through:
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immediate emergency call by pressing a button
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automatic fall detection
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GPS location determination
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direct contact with relatives or care services
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easy handling, even with minor impairments of independence
This strengthens independence in daily life, while quick help is available in an emergency.
4. Can the costs for the CarePlus subscription of the emergency call bracelet be covered through Care Grade 1?
Yes, if you meet certain requirements, cost coverage by the long-term care insurance is possible.
5. Why is Care Grade 1 important even with minor impairments?
Even minor impairments can complicate daily life and burden relatives. Care Grade 1 enables early support to maintain independence and quality of life. Combined with aids like the Gardia emergency call bracelet, affected individuals benefit from safety, emergency preparedness, and relief in daily life.
