Since 1 January 1995 every German citizen has to be insured against the risk of needing special care as a consequence of either disease or old age. About 1.7% of people's wages is deducted every month for this type of insurance, together with a contribution for their health insurance.
Even those with private insurance are obliged to join the nursing care insurance scheme of their insurance company.
Currently, about two million people in Germany (population of 80 million) need constant care. About 600 000 people live in nursing homes and 1.4 million are looked after in their homes by family, neighbours, and mobile nursing services. The insurance was set up in the mid-1990s because it was recognised that people did not make enough provision for their old age, and state or private savings would be increasingly stretched by a growing need for nursing care.
People apply to their insurance provider when financial support is needed and extensive care is required for more than six months. An expert team evaluates the level of care needed. There are three levels of care, which, depending on the severity of the disability, range from about a600 (£390; $580) a month, up to a2600.
The money can be used for professional help at home, a place in a nursing home, or as a payment for relatives or other private carers. On the whole, the introduction of the insurance scheme has proved to be a success.
