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Sudden care in the family What matters in the first time
After severe blows such as a heart attack or stroke, the normal family life gets out of hand for the time being. Because the person affected must be cared for, which presents many relatives with a great challenge. Often there is great uncertainty about what needs to be organized and how the new situation should be handled. Stefan Palmowski from the Independent Patient Advice Germany (UPD) gives tips in conversation with the news agency "dpa", what should be respected in the first time.
Consulting is the first important step
"Who cares about the care of our father?" "What do we have to think about?" Questions like these often come up when a family member, e.g. Suddenly suffers a life-threatening cardiovascular disease such as a stroke or heart attack. Many relatives do not know how to master the new situation, are unsure and can not assess whether or not the person remains permanently in need of care.
Image: Trueffelpix - fotolia It is therefore important to first consult with a relevant specialist, said Stefan Palmowski from UPD to the "dpa". Relatives could apply to independent care advice centers throughout Germany, e.g. be organized by the municipalities. The easiest way is to contact the respective city or municipality by telephone in order to get in touch with the responsible counseling center. Alternatively, the database of the Center for Quality in Nursing (bdb.zqp.de) can be used on the Internet, the expert continued.
Apply for care level as early as possible
In the hospital or the rehab clinic relatives could also address the social service. In addition, it was important that the care and support is regulated directly after discharge, so that it does not come to a bottleneck at home. If it turns out that the sick person needs help longer, according to Stefan Palmowski, an application for a care level should be made as early as possible in order to clarify the financial points. This is the case, "if one has the impression that the one in the long run, that is more than half a year, relies on support," explains Palmowski.
"You have to try a little bit to look into the future," said the physicians' assessment, which could be of great help, Palmowski continued. The application would be sent directly to the responsible care fund, which is always organized at the health insurance, where the patient is insured. In addition, it could already be clarified in the hospital or the rehab clinic by an examination of the medical service, if at least the care level 1 was reached.
A nursing diary offers good help with the home visit of the medical service
If there is a home visit by the medical service to estimate the need for care after discharge, it is advisable to be well prepared. According to Palmowski, a nursing diary that accurately documents the areas in which the patient needs support. "If I can work with examples, that's always good," says the expert in Independent Patient Counseling. In addition to the type of help, it is also advisable to note the time required (in minutes), as well as possible medical reports and records of prescribed aids and medicines should be kept available as far as possible. This could help to avoid misunderstandings, because sometimes a patient on the day of the visit works a lot fitter than he really is, according to Palmowski.
Examine the offer of the nursing services
If the need for care has been confirmed and the level determined, there is a right to certain benefits. However, according to the experts, it is necessary to classify them accordingly. Although the Nursing Fund would pay the financial support, but should be negotiated with the nursing service on how this can be fully utilized. Accordingly, it is important to know exactly your own claims here, but according to Palmowski the nursing advice centers would offer a good help.
The selection of the right care service should also be well prepared. Questions such as "How well is the staff trained?" Or "How flexible are the employees?" Could be better tailored to their own needs in advance. An overview of the services is provided e.g. the Internet site www.weisse-liste.de, where relatives can also find out about costs for various services, says Palmowski.
Relatives are entitled to free days for the organization
For the organization of the care of the patient, the relatives should take time, advises the expert of the Independent Patient Counseling. "As a relative, I have the right to take a few days off." Because according to § 2 Abs. 1 Care Time Act (PflegeZG), every employee in a family care case is entitled to an exemption from the work obligation for a maximum of 10 working days. However, this only applies if it concerns an "acute nursing situation", in addition the work prevention and its probable duration must be communicated to the employer immediately (§ 2 Abs. 2 Satz 1 PflegeZG).
Afterwards exist according to Palmowski the possibility of the nursing time. This would allow workers up to 6 months unpaid to be fully or partially exempted from work for the care of the relative. In addition, as part of the new family care leave since 1.1.2105, those affected can reduce their work for a maximum of 24 months to up to 15 hours per week, in order to care for close relatives in the home environment. (No)