Organizing Care in Cologne

Before applying for anything: Keep a care diary! Document daily life for at least 7-14 days – mobility, personal hygiene, memory, behaviors. Without this documentation you'll lose money later.

Submit the application to your care insurance (= your health insurance). The application can be informal – a short call or letter is enough. From the day of application you're entitled to benefits!

After the application, an assessor from MDK (Medical Service) or Medicproof will come to your home. This assessment decides the care level! Preparation is crucial.

You'll receive a decision with the care level. Check carefully: Is the care level too low? Then file an appeal within 1 month! It's often worth it.

Now comes the core financial decision: Care allowance (if relatives provide care) or benefits in kind (if a care service comes). A combination is also possible!

Now daily life begins: Find care service, apply for aids, adapt apartment. Much is paid by care insurance!

€125 monthly relief amount is available to you – almost always forgotten! Plus: Respite care and short-term care for breaks.

Caring relatives have special rights at work: Care leave, family care leave, time off. Your employer must make this possible!

Care counseling is free and even mandatory when receiving care allowance! Use the care support centers in your city for individual advice.

When care at home is no longer possible: Nursing home or short-term care. Care insurance pays a part, but a personal contribution remains.

Many care recipients are also entitled to a disability ID. This brings important benefits: tax allowances, dismissal protection, additional vacation, parking benefits and more.