Long-term nursing care is becoming unaffordable in Germany. What can be done to help older people pay for their care?

Berlin

Nursing home workers in Germany are facing significant challenges as the cost of care rises and working conditions become more difficult. Many care workers report feeling overworked and underpaid, with a recent survey indicating that 35% of physicians are likely to leave their jobs within five years due to stress and heavy workloads. The pandemic, increased demand for healthcare, and a shortage of staff have contributed to these pressures.

Salaries for nurses and care workers in Germany remain among the lowest in Western Europe, and compensation has not kept pace with inflation. As a result, many in the sector are considering career changes, with some seeking further education to move into healthcare management or other fields. The ongoing strain on the workforce highlights the urgent need for reforms in Germany's care sector.

German nursing homes see cost for care explode

Health care workers in Germany are burning out fast. Many say they are stressed and underpaid, but their complaints are largely unheard. That's why some are walking away from the profession. Trained nurse Jaffar Asarki has been a care worker here for the last seven years. I have always been drawn to helping people. So a nursing probation gave me a chance to make a real difference. But his passion is fading. A recent survey of some 200 physicians in Germany showed that 35% of them are likely to leave their jobs within five years due to stress and a huge workload. Nurses and care workers are struggling with heavy workloads, too. The pandemic, a high demand for health care, and a labor shortage are to blame. The crisis has brought Asarki to his breaking point. Because inasmuch as there are many staff, so the load of the work will be less. But if there is less staff, definitely there will be much overload of work for many people, whereby stress will be higher. You understand? Asarki works at a retirement home in Henef, Western Germany. Some months, he's on duty for up to 20 days, with shifts that require him to be up at 5 AM. It takes him around 40 minutes to get to work. Even if I have a pre-day, sometimes if I am free, so if someone falls sick, then you can receive a call. You understand that, please, you can come, because social person is not there. The workload in Germany's care facilities is constant, and the pressure unrelenting. Care workers can be expected to monitor vitals, manage medication and documentation, as well as update families and more. I consider that the nature of the work, that in the stressful nature of the stressfulness of the work and the pay, you understand, owing to the fact that life is expensive here. So I see that definitely I will not go along with this work. The salaries for nurses and care workers here are among the lowest in Western Europe. Despite the responsibility and pressure, compensation hasn't kept pace with inflation. That means many in the healthcare system are working more for less. And for Sarki, it's time to do something different. That is the reason which motivated me to obtain my bachelor degree. So I'm hoping after an academy, that is at a station, so I'm switching to another profession. I am still in healthcare, but into management.

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