The approximately five million people in need of care in Germany are mainly cared for by relatives. A new survey shows that the time and financial burden has increased.
Anyone who cares for a relative has to cope with a greater burden than five years ago. This comes from a representative Forsa survey commissioned by the Scientific Institute the AOK out.
In 2019, respondents stated that they needed an average of 43 hours per week for nursing activities such as nutrition, personal hygiene and medication administration. Now the time spent is 49 hours.
It was also shown that almost two thirds of carers do not seek support from a nursing service.
The financial burden is also increasing
The financial burden has also increased despite increased benefits from long-term care insurance: the average personal contribution climbed from just under 200 euros per month in 2019 to now 290 euros per month, shows the study, which was first reported by the “Redaktions Netzwerk Deutschland”.
Your own work often suffers as a result
Last but not least, the time burden has an impact on your professional activity. Only 46 percent of primary caregivers work full-time, according to the survey. 37 percent have part-time employment. 18 percent are not employed at all.
Among part-time workers, more than half said they had reduced their working hours because of care. Among those who are not employed, 28 percent gave up work because of care.
Antje Schwinger, head of the nursing research department, says: “The survey suggests that the high time commitment of an average of 49 hours per week also has a direct impact on paid work and that a work-life-care balance is difficult to achieve for many.”
Care continues to be predominantly a woman’s job
The survey clearly shows that caring for relatives at home is still predominantly the responsibility of women. Almost two thirds of the caring relatives in the survey were women.
To better combine work and care, employees who care for a close relative at home can be fully or partially released from work for up to six months. However, according to the AOK study, this option is rarely used.