New record 1.1 million workers in rehab

Demographic change influences number of rehabilitation measures

07/24/2013

More and more employees need a rehab. In 2012, nearly 1.1 million workers were treated for rehabilitation. This corresponds to an increase of 25 percent compared to the year 2005. For pension insurance this means rising costs. But the effort is worth it - for every euro invested in rehab, the pension insurance receives an average of five, according to the Prognos Institute. It is the principle „Rehab goes to pension“.

Number of rehab treatments increases due to aging baby boomers
The medical rehabilitation last year used nearly 1.1 million workers to get fit for the job again. According to a statistic of the German old age pension insurance (DRV), which the „South German newspaper“ This corresponds to an increase of 25 percent in rehab treatments compared to 2005.

One of the main reasons for the increase in rehab applications, according to DRV, is demographic change. The baby-strong years come into the age, in which illnesses and restrictions in the professional achievement occur more frequently. In addition, the employment rate of older people is increasing. Accordingly, it can be expected that the number of rehab applications will continue to increase in the future. Currently, rehabilitation is approved for more than one in three who receive medical rehabilitation because of muscular, skeletal or connective tissue problems, according to the official figures.

Number of rehab treatments for mental illness is increasing
Although the number of these diseases is declining slightly, the diagnoses for psychiatric disorders are on the rise. For example, 18 percent of men's and 22.3 percent of women's rehab treatments were due to mental illness, such as depression or burnout syndrome. In 2005, it was still 15.6 percent and 18.7 percent.

Only recently confirmed an evaluation of the internal patient data of the statutory health insurance KKH that mental illness in the future „Common disease number one“ could become. According to information from the Commercial Health Insurance (KKH), in 2012 wholesalers and retailers lacked on average around 43.6 days at work due to mental health problems. In health and social work, for example in clinics or geriatric care facilities, employees had an average of 40.7 days lost in 2013. Stress, pressure to succeed and the permanent accessibility affect the health insurance according to the health insurance. It must be counteracted with the employers together, demanded KKH boss Ingo Kailuweit.

Rehab costs an average of 3,600 euros
Almost 270,000 insured persons took advantage of a vocational rehab last year. Among other things, these included retraining or a reorganization of the workplace, which enables further work in the old profession.

Overall, there is a clear increase in the number of rehab applications submitted by 2012. In the past seven years, 461,000 applications have been submitted, reaching a record level of 2.1 million. However, not every rehab application was approved by the DRV. In 2012, about 65 percent of the applications received a commitment, the remainder was rejected.

The average age of workers in need of a medical rehab is 50 years. The measure lasts on average 29 days and costs 3,600 euros. In general, the principle applies in the DRV „Rehab goes to pension“. This has not least financial reasons, as a study by the Prognos Institute shows. „The Prognos study proves that for every euro invested in medical rehabilitation the society recovers five euros, "said a DRV spokesman to the news agency „AFP“. Eighty-five percent of workers stay in employment two years after rehab.
The budget for spending is based on the development of gross wages of employees. Last year, 5.666 billion euros were available for this purpose. The pension insurance had about twelve million more costs, so that for the first time the budget was exceeded.

Support from family and friends increase chances of successful rehab
In the fall of 2012, scientists from the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg published a study according to which the success of a rehab largely depends on the support that the patient receives from relatives and friends.

The researchers around institute director Professor dr. Wilfried Mau found in her research that well-functioning social networks positively influence the success of rehab treatment. The study has shown that the rehabilitant's physical quality of life as well as his sporting activities increase with the size of his family network. At the same time, the return to work will be strengthened. (Ag)

Read also about rehab:
Vocational rehab instead of early retirement

Picture credits: Christiane Heuser