Care; Counseling for those in need of care, as well as their family members and loved ones

For individuals in need of care and their family members and relatives, in addition to county administrative offices, independent cities, and districts, the following agencies in particular offer free counseling (in some cases also for stakeholders looking to develop care services):

• Statutory health and long-term care insurance providers
• Care Counseling Bavaria, serving as a cross-insurer initial point of contact by phone on behalf of the statutory long-term care insurance funds in Bavaria (Phone number: 0800-7721111)  
• Medical Service (MD) Bavaria – “Long-Term Care Service Hotline,” particularly for questions regarding assessments and long-term care evaluations (by phone Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 089/159060 5555, and at any time by email at pflegeinfo@md-bayern.de)
• Compass Private Care Consulting GmbH, acting on behalf of private long-term care insurance companies
• Care Support Centers
• Specialized Centers for Family Caregivers
• Specialized centers for dementia and care 
• Patient and Care Ombudsman of the Bavarian State Government
• Care Hotline of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth (Phone number: 030/20 17 91 31; Email: info@wege-zur-pflege.de)

Care Counseling Provided by Long-Term Care Insurance Funds

The primary purpose of care counseling provided by long-term care insurance funds (Section 7a of Book XI of the Social Code) is, in particular, to:

• to assess and analyze the individual care and support needs of the person requiring care,
• to draw up a care plan,
• to work toward implementing the necessary measures and the further execution of the care plan,
• to adjust the care plan as necessary,
• to provide information about services designed to relieve the burden on caregivers.

Care Support Centers

Care support centers, which may be established by long-term care and health insurance funds in cooperation with the counties, independent cities, and districts,

• provide comprehensive and independent information and counseling on the rights and obligations under the Social Code and on the selection and utilization of social benefits and other assistance programs provided for under federal or state law,
• coordinate all health-promoting, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and other medical, nursing, and social assistance and support services that may be relevant for local care and support, provide assistance in accessing these services, and
• ensure the coordination of integrated nursing and social care and support services.

Specialized Centers for Family Caregivers

These specialized centers serve as counseling and referral centers for family caregivers of older adults in need of care and support them through psychosocial counseling, (long-term) support, and respite care services (family caregiver support). In addition, many specialized centers for family caregivers offer support for everyday life, such as family support groups, caregiving groups, and volunteer networks.

Specialized Centers for Dementia and Care 

The regional specialized centers for dementia and care, established in all seven administrative districts, support—under the guidance of the supraregional Specialized Center for Dementia and Care in Bavaria—the establishment and expansion of counseling and support structures as well as their local networking. This applies in particular to the topic of “dementia” and the Bavaria-wide recognized services for support in daily life, which are designed to provide relief for those in need of care and their family caregivers. Since January 1, 2021, it has also been possible for individuals to provide these services under certain quality criteria, with the specialized centers responsible for registering volunteer individual caregivers.

National Care Hotline of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth

At 030 / 20 17 91 31, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth’s Care Hotline provides advice on all aspects of care, such as health and long-term care insurance benefits and the legal options for family caregivers to take leave from work. In addition, the Care Hotline offers assistance in critical and stressful situations. If necessary, the counselors can also refer you to local counseling and support services.

The Care Hotline can be reached Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. by calling 030 / 20 17 91 31 or by emailing info@wege-zur-pflege.de. Telephone consultations are anonymous and confidential. For more information on the Care Hotline’s counseling services, see “Related Links.”

Long-Term Care Counseling

The District of Middle Franconia offers care assistance counseling for residents of Erlangen.

These consultations are held every 14 days. Please schedule an appointment through the Erlangen Care Support Center:

Erlangen Care Support Center (Ground Floor)
Nägelsbachstraße 38
91052 Erlangen

Tel. + (49) 09131 / 86 - 2329

Email: pflegestuetzpunkt@stadt.erlangen.de