More people in need of care require assistance from social services

An increasing number of people in Saxony who require long-term care are in need of support from social services. Last year, 25,255 individuals received the “Long-Term Care Assistance” benefit, according to a parliamentary inquiry submitted by Left Party politician Susanne Schaper in the state parliament. Five years earlier, the figure was 17,410; in 2005, it was 13,484 people in need of care.

“It must not become the norm that all or nearly all residents in a nursing home need assistance from social services—even if they have worked for many years and receive a good pension. However, Saxony, too, has been moving in that direction for years,” explained Schaper, who leads the Left Party faction in the Saxon state parliament. 

The Left Party Calls for a Cap on Out-of-Pocket Costs

The Left Party advocates capping long-term care costs. Local governments face a heavy burden when they have to subsidize an ever-increasing number of people in need of care. “Out-of-pocket costs must be reduced. Saxony should advocate at the federal level for capping out-of-pocket costs,” they said. At present, it is unclear whether the federal government’s long-term care reform will provide relief.

“If a pension isn’t enough and meager savings have been exhausted, the system checks whether a spouse or family members must step in. We say: Everyone should be able to age with dignity, whether at home or in a nursing home, and one day even be able to leave something behind,” Schaper explained, outlining her party’s position.

Call for Fair Contributions to Long-Term Care Insurance

According to Schaper, this is a societal task that can only be solved through solidarity. “To achieve this, people with high incomes and substantial assets must contribute more. Everyone who earns an income should contribute fairly to comprehensive long-term care insurance. Even annual gross incomes exceeding 69,750 euros should no longer be exempt from contributions.”

In the Saxon State Parliament, the SPD and the BSW are also advocating for a cap on long-term care costs. The Greens support a fundamental reform of long-term care and believe the Saxon government has a duty to provide greater funding for nursing homes. The AfD is calling for the introduction of a long-term care housing allowance and expects this to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Out-of-pocket costs for nursing homes have also risen in Saxony

Long-term care costs have continued to rise this year in Saxony as well. An analysis by the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds revealed that the monthly out-of-pocket cost in Saxony climbed to 3,152 euros as of July 1. That is nearly 300 euros more than a year earlier.