Thuringia’s Minister President Mario Voigt has called on the federal government, in light of the upcoming social reforms, to take into account the realities of life for people in eastern Germany. In eastern Germany, all the aggravating factors come together—and sooner, the CDU politician told MDR aktuell. “For us, the statutory pension is usually not just one pillar among many—for many people in the east, it’s simply the only one. And here, incomes are lower, private wealth is significantly smaller, inheritances are less common, and the population is older on average.” These realities must be acknowledged.
Voigt Calls for Strengthening Home Care
In an MDR interview, Voigt also addressed the topic of long-term care in more detail. The out-of-pocket costs for those in need of long-term care to secure a spot in a nursing home are a key issue. Many people want to grow old at home, which is why strengthening home care is important. “Especially here in Thuringia, in rural areas, a large portion of care is provided by family members, and they, too, need reliable respite care options and less bureaucracy.” On the other hand, a spot in a nursing home must also be affordable. The average amount of money available to a Thuringian retiree does not even cover half the cost of a nursing home bed.
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