Benefits and Requirements
Care level 4 is one of five care levels and signifies the "most severe impairment of independence". What exactly does that mean? Who is classified at care level 4? And what benefits are available to those affected?
When it comes to caring for relatives, it's important to be informed about the different care levels. One of these levels, care level 4, is often a focus for many families seeking support. In this article, we will highlight everything you need to know about care level 4, including the requirements, benefits, and how to apply for them.
What does care level 4 mean?
It means that the affected person requires intensive care and support in their daily life.
Applying for care level 4
To apply for care level 4, an application must be submitted to the long-term care insurance. This will then be reviewed by an expert who will conduct a care assessment. The care level is determined based on the results of this assessment.
Requirements for care level 4
To receive care level 4, an assessment must be carried out. Various criteria are evaluated, including mobility, cognitive abilities, self-care, and more. The total score from these evaluations determines the care level.
The care assessment evaluates a person's independence. Previously, the amount of care required was decisive; since 2017, this is no longer the case. The assessment is the crucial basis for the long-term care insurance fund to determine the care level.
In the care assessment, up to 100 points are awarded for impairment of independence. The total score is made up of six individually weighted thematic areas. However, there are exceptions in child care and in certain needs situations.
Criteria for the care assessment according to the New Assessment of Need (NBA):
1. Mobility: To what extent can the person to be assessed move independently? How is their ability to maintain an upright posture, sit, and climb stairs?
2. Cognitive and communicative abilities: Is the person able to orient themselves locally and temporally in everyday life? Can they make decisions independently, assess risks, hold conversations, and express their needs?
3. Behaviors and psychological problems: How often does the person need support due to psychological problems such as aggressive or anxious behavior? Do they suffer from delusions or tend to damage objects?
4. Self-care: How independently can the person to be assessed wash, care for themselves, and eat daily?
5. Coping and independent management of illness or therapy-related demands and burdens: What support does the person need in dealing with illnesses, therapies, and treatments, for example, dialysis or dressing changes?
6. Structuring daily life and social contacts: How independently can the person to be assessed plan their daily routine, occupy themselves, or maintain social contacts?
Each of the six modules comprises up to 16 defined criteria, which are individually evaluated in the assessment. The individual evaluation of each criterion results in a score for each module.
The module scores are then added and weighted to determine the total score.
Care level 4 is awarded if the care assessment determines an impairment of independence between 70 and less than 90 points. With care level 4, benefits from long-term care insurance can be claimed.
To be classified at a higher care level, you must submit an application for an upgrade to your long-term care insurance. This will then commission an expert to carry out a care assessment according to the "New Assessment of Need" (NBA) at your home.
Persons with care level 4 require intensive support several times a day, often almost continuous care. They are entitled to all care benefits, but some benefits are not yet at their full extent, which would only be the case with care level 5.
Benefits for care level 4
Persons with care level 4 are entitled to a variety of benefits to cover their care needs. These include financial support such as care allowance and in-kind benefits for care, as well as practical assistance such as respite care and technical care aids.
Compared to care level 2 or 3, the entitlements for care allowance, in-kind benefits for care, day and night care, and benefits for inpatient care, i.e., nursing homes, increase. The other benefits remain unchanged.
Overview of care benefits for care level 4
- Care allowance: 765 euros monthly
- In-kind benefits for care: 1,778 euros monthly
- Respite care: 1,612 euros annually
- Short-term care: 1,774 euros annually
- Relief amount: 125 euros monthly
- Day or night care: 1,612 euros monthly
- Consumable care aids up to 40 euros monthly
- Technical care aids: Yes
- Emergency call system up to 25.50 euros monthly
- Home adaptation up to 4,000 euros per measure
- Care consultation and advisory visit: Yes
- Care courses for relatives: Yes
- Care support allowance: Yes
- Residential group subsidy: 214 euros monthly
- Digital care applications (DiPA) up to 50 euros monthly
- Full inpatient care in a home: 1,775 euros monthly
- The Gardia emergency call wristband is supported by long-term care insurance funds. The monthly subscription is fully covered.
The Gardia emergency call wristband automatically triggers an alarm in case of a fall or at the push of a button and quickly sends help. You can find more information on this at www.gardia.net. You can get more information or a phone consultation.
More about the emergency call wristband
If care is organized independently at home, there is a claim to care allowance. With care level 4, this amount is 765 euros per month, which can be used freely. Claiming in-kind care benefits proportionally reduces the entitlement to care allowance.
No proof of costs is required for this. However, persons with care level 4 are required to participate in an advisory visit once every three months in accordance with paragraph 37.3. In these free advisory sessions, individual questions about care, care law, and care benefits can be clarified.
Conclusion
Care level 4 is an important step for people with significant care needs. By receiving this care level, they can access a variety of support services that help them manage their daily lives. If you need more information or help applying for care level 4, do not hesitate to contact your local long-term care insurance provider.
FAQ: Care Level 4 & Emergency Call Systems
1. What does care level 4 mean?
Care level 4 signifies a most severe impairment of independence. Affected individuals require intensive support several times a day and sometimes almost continuous care in all areas of life, such as personal hygiene, mobility, nutrition, and daily routine management.
2. How is care level 4 determined?
Classification is carried out by the Medical Service (MDK) via the New Assessment of Need (NBA). The following are assessed:
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Mobility
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Cognitive and communicative abilities
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Self-care
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Daily life management
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Psychological behaviors
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Social contacts and daily routine management
Care level 4 is awarded for an impairment of independence between 70 and less than 90 points.
3. What benefits are available with care level 4?
Benefits include, among others:
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Care allowance: 765 €/month
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In-kind care benefits: 1,778 €/month
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Day and night care: 1,612 €/month
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Short-term care & respite care: up to 1,774 €/year
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Care aids & technical aids
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Home adaptation: up to 4,000 € per measure
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Emergency call system: up to 25.50 €/month
💡 Tip: The monthly CarePlus subscription for the Gardia emergency call wristband is supported by long-term care insurance funds and is available from care level 1 from 0 €/month. It automatically triggers an alarm in case of falls or at the push of a button and informs relatives or emergency services.
4. Which aids make everyday life easier with care level 4?
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Rollators, wheelchairs, nursing beds
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Bathtub lifts, shower stools, toilet aids
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Eating and drinking aids
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Emergency call systems like the Gardia emergency call wristband, which sends immediate help in case of falls or emergencies – usable from 0 €/month from care level 1.
5. What requirements must be met to receive care level 4?
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Significant impairments of independence in all areas of life
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Regular, multiple daily support needs
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Permanent physical, psychological, or cognitive impairments
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Application to long-term care insurance with MDK assessment
💡 Extra Tip: Those who have not yet reached care level 4 can already rely on Gardia from 0 €/month from care level 1 to receive immediate help in an emergency and maintain their independence longer.
